NEW SHOREHAM, R.I. (WTNH) — A Hartford police officer was arrested on Block Island over the weekend and charged with first-degree sexual assault, according to authorities.

In a statement, Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody said Rhode Island State Police notified the department that Officer Justin Damone was taken into custody following an alleged incident Saturday at Ballard’s Beach Resort.

Damone, a four-year department veteran, was off-duty at the time and has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the internal and criminal investigations, Thody said.

Justin Damone (Rhode Island State Police)
Justin Damone (Rhode Island State Police)

Steven Filippi, the owner of Ballard’s, said a woman informed their security team that a man had “inappropriately touched her.”

“We implemented our robust security measures, and our head of security immediately intervened and contacted Block Island Police,” Filippi said.

Filippi said they will continue to cooperate with law enforcement

Damone was arraigned Tuesday and released on $25,000 bond. He is due back in court on Nov. 21.

News 8 has contacted Rhode Island State Police for more information but has not yet heard back.