Trooper Accused Of Choking Girlfriend Suspended Without Pay
BOXBOROUGH (CBS) - A Massachusetts State Trooper has been ordered to stay away from his girlfriend for one year, after he allegedly attacked her over the weekend.
Trooper Robert Sundberg, 45, arrived in handcuffs for his arraignment at Ayer District Court Monday on charges of attempted strangulation and domestic abuse.
Prosecutors say he assaulted his girlfriend, who is also a state trooper, early Saturday morning at their apartment in Boxborough. The woman applied for a restraining order Monday and the judge ordered Sundberg to have no contact with her for one year.
State Police said Sundberg restrained and choked his girlfriend, and at one point put her in a chokehold before she was able to break free. The woman then waited until Sundberg fell asleep, ran out of the apartment, and reported him to authorities.
"The defendant began choking the victim around the neck and from behind with his hands and then he transitioned to a chokehold around her throat using his right arm," Prosecutor Brian Doxtader said.
"This caused the victim to experience dizziness and blurred vision with black spots and she feared she would lose consciousness."
In court Monday, the girlfriend claimed she has been in a relationship with Sundberg for six years and that he has a long history of abusing her.
"It started progressively with just verbal abuse and pulling of the hair and things like that," the alleged victim said in court. "It slowly got worse and worse."
She also said the trooper has issues with alcohol and steroids, but she thought he was getting professional help.
Sundberg's attorney says the alleged victim is making up the story because his client was about to break up with her. "She is claiming this historical abuse pattern, which is totally untrue," attorney Richard Rafferty said.
Sundberg has three children, all from a previous relationship. The girlfriend said she and her children were planning to buy a home with Sundberg, who is a 14-year veteran of the State Police.
He is assigned to the Concord barracks and was relieved of duty Sunday and has been suspended without pay.
Sundberg will remain in police custody on $500,000 bail. He has a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Ben Parker reports
WBZ-TV's David Robichaud contributed to this report. You can follow him on Twitter @RobiWBZ
