NEW SHOREHAM, Rhode Island — A Hartford police officer has been arrested on sexual assault charges in an alleged incident. at Ballard’s Beach Club on Saturday.
Justin K. The Hartford Police Department has launched an internal investigation because Damone, 25, was off duty during the Block Island incident, Chief Jason Thordy said.
Damone was charged with first-degree sexual assault. The victim’s name has not been released, but court officials said he was 21.
In a statement to The Globe, Ballard owner Stephen Filippi said a female guest reported to the resort’s security team that a male guest had “improperly touched the property.”
“We had strong security measures in place and our security officers stepped in immediately and contacted Block Island Police,” Philippi said.
Over the winter, Ballard hired a new Chief of Security, Timothy Lee, a former Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and former Providence Police Chief.
The resort “does not tolerate any conduct that may affect the safety or health of our guests or staff,” Filippi said.
An investigation by the Rhode Island State Police and the State Attorney General’s Office began following an allegation of sexual assault at a Ballard store over the weekend of July 4, 2022, but no charges were filed. Victims of the 2022 incident have refused to press charges or accusations.
A veteran who has served the department for four years, Damone has been suspended without pay pending both an internal and criminal investigation.
“We will continue to cooperate fully with state and local law enforcement agencies investigating this allegation,” Filippi said.
This story has been updated.
You can contact Alexa Gagosz at alexa.gagosz@globe.com.follow her @alexagagosz and on instagram @AlexaGagosz.