Police criticized over raid
Video shows Framingham cops entered home without warrant
Framingham police and city officials are investigating a drug unit’s raid on a home without a search warrant, where one cop threatened to kill the family dog, after a video of the incident went viral on the internet.
When police finally got the warrant, they reported finding 20 marijuana plants, more than 200 grams of marijuana, thousands in cash and several guns. But the homeowners are voicing outrage on a GoFundMe page where they say they are trying to raise money for a lawyer.
“These police officers raided our home with no warrant in front of our children!” the page states. “They forced entry into our home and threatened to kill our pregnant dog! They committed an illegal search and seizure, took all of our savings and our legally owned guns, literally took the cash out of our pockets!”
When reached over the phone Tuesday, household resident Antoinette Callahan said to the Herald, “We’ve all been very traumatized by this. I have no comment.”
In Aug. 7 home security video from the house on Prior Drive in Framingham, an officer tells the homeowner that police are at the door. The officer tells Callahan they need to enter the home, “holding the house” until they get a search warrant.
“You’re not coming in my house” without a warrant, Callahan tells the officer.
The officer responds, “We’re not searching. We’re just securing the house.” He later added that police didn’t want Callahan’s son to flush evidence down the toilet.
“Either you get out of the way or we’re gonna kick the door,” the officer told Callahan.
Once inside the house, another cop took a swing at a barking dog, saying, “If that dog bites me again, I’ll (expletive) shoot it.”
During a “protective sweep” of the house, cops found three rooms with marijuana plants, according to an affidavit signed by Framingham Detective Jason Ball. Police later that night executed a search warrant.
A Framingham police Facebook post said many people have sent them the video of this incident involving the Metro-West Drug Task Force.
“We will take the time necessary to fully investigate the incident, and speak with all persons involved,” Framingham police stated.
Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer said through a spokeswoman: “In the best interest of everyone involved, we’re thoroughly investigating the incident.”
Police said in an earlier statement that officers applied for a search warrant. In the court affidavit, police describe watching suspected pot sales from the house.
“Probable cause was found to issue the search warrant and officers subsequently executed it at the home,” the statement reads. “Pursuant to the investigation police have applied for criminal charges and a hearing is scheduled.”