A Boston fire lieutenant has been arrested and held in jail without bail, as the military veteran faces dozens of charges for firearm offenses and meth trafficking.
Boston Fire Lt. Joshua Thompson, who took home more than $160,000 last year, was arrested by Milton Police on Tuesday for allegedly violating a restraining order.
The 38-year-old father of three — who has been with BFD for more than 12 years — was initially arraigned on Wednesday in Quincy District Court and held without bail, as the judge scheduled a dangerousness hearing for Friday.
Meanwhile as the Milton Police investigation continued, Thompson was charged with additional offenses — including several gun charges and trafficking methamphetamine.
According to a City of Boston spokesperson, he has been placed on “unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the court proceedings and an internal investigation.”
Thompson’s wife told police earlier this week that her husband was keeping firearms inside his home, while Thompson’s license to carry had been revoked.
“Any possession of firearms was extremely troubling to the police,” the Norfolk County prosecutor said during Friday’s court hearing.
His wife then obtained a restraining order against Thompson. She detailed several alleged incidents from the past year.
“Mr. Thompson is escalating,” the prosecutor said. “His pattern of behavior is becoming more unhinged and more dangerous as he goes… the defendant’s behavior is becoming more erratic and more paranoid as the time continues.”
For instance, Thompson allegedly blew a leaf blower in his wife’s face. He also allegedly forced her to flush her wedding ring down the toilet.
Thompson allegedly used a knife to stab a vehicle’s tires while his kids were in the car, and he allegedly yanked the car’s wheel while his wife was driving with the kids.
His wife reportedly found an app on her phone that recorded her conversations and locations. Thompson allegedly stole her phone several times in the last year.
Thompson is also accused of breaking into her home and replacing the smoke detectors with hidden cameras.
“That is extremely paranoid and troubling behavior,” the prosecutor said.
His wife reported to police that Thompson was keeping a large assault-style firearm in his home. Also, because his license to carry was revoked, police knew that he had not turned over three registered guns.
As a result, Milton Police obtained a search warrant for Thompson’s home. When police knocked on his door, Thompson was allegedly adamant that there were no guns in the home.
Police then executed the search warrant at the home and found: five assault-style rifles that were unregistered, five unregistered handguns, about 2,000 rounds of ammunition, 76 handgun and rifle magazines, four ballistic vests, and multiple tourniquets stashed around the home.
Guns were found in different hidden spots in the home. For instance, police found a handgun inside a cooler next to the front door.
“These firearms were strategically placed inside of the home, different vantage points,” the prosecutor said. “When they would find a firearm, they would likely find a ballistic vest as well as a tourniquet in that area… Mr. Thompson appears to be preparing himself for some type of conflict.”
Police also found 100 pills that appeared to be Adderall. Police tested them and determined that the pills were positive for meth.
“It’s the Commonwealth’s belief that the defendant is abusing methamphetamines, and that is leading to the state of paranoia he appears to be living in,” the prosecutor said.
The Norfolk DA’s office was calling for him to be held without bail behind bars, warning that Thompson would not follow any conditions and stay-away orders.
On the other side, Thompson’s defense attorney called for his client to be released.
“Absolutely no history of violence whatsoever,” his lawyer said. “No violent tendencies… no indications that he’s a dangerous person.”
Thompson is a “decorated” military veteran, spending time in the Navy and Army, serving in Iraq. He’s a gun collector and has been diagnosed with PTSD, his lawyer said.
“He’s the antithesis of a dangerous person,” the attorney added. “He’s a dedicated first responder.”
Thompson “made a mistake” and failed to register the guns, his lawyer said.
“At no time in Mr. Thompson’s life has he ever been alleged to have used a firearm improperly, discharged a firearm improperly, or threatened another individual with a firearm,” the attorney said.
Thompson should be at home to be with his young kids, instead of being locked up for more time, the lawyer added.
He should also enter a treatment facility, the attorney said. The center would help him with mental health and substance use. His lawyer also suggested that Thompson have a GPS monitor as a bail condition.
The judge after the dangerousness hearing ruled that Thompson be held in jail without bail. He was also ordered to obey the terms of the restraining order.
The next hearing date in the case is Sept. 23.
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