BURRILLVILLE – A Burrillville resident and member of the Pascoag Fire Department was arrested on Sunday, Sept. 24, and charged with second degree child molestation, second degree sexual assault and disorderly conduct by the Burrillville Police Department.
Richard Forslund, Jr., 31, of 28 Church St., Pascoag, was taken into custody Sunday afternoon at 2:40 p.m. after what police say was a lengthy investigation.
Officers reportedly executed the arrest warrant while Forslund was working at Pascoag Hose Station 1 at 105 Pascoag Main St. According to online records, Forslund was also a previous member of the Harrisville Fire Department.
Burrillville Police Chief Col. Stephen Lynch said the case is still, “a very active investigation,” and the report regarding the arrest has not yet been released.
Records in the state criminal database show that Forslund’s last criminal charges were for driving with a suspended license, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest in Burrillville in 2014.
Forslund was brought before a bail commissioner on Monday, Sept. 25 and was released with a summons to appear in the Rhode Island 6th District Court for a pre-arraignment conference on Friday, Nov. 17. He was ordered to have no contact with the juvenile victim.
Pascoag Fire Chief Michael Dexter noted that the alleged crimes did not occur while Forslund was on duty. He said that the firefighter has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
