Gov. Baker Pardons Man Convicted In Milford Assault

MILFORD, MA — A Franklin man who was arrested and charged in a Milford assault more than 32 years ago received a pardon this week from Gov. Charlie Baker — one of four the governor approved for men who have "shown a commitment to their communities and rehabilitation."

According to the Advisory Board of Pardons, the man initially applied for a pardon in 2015 so that he could pass criminal record checks for job and volunteer roles. He was previously denied entry into the Air Force due to the convictions, and has had to hold back on participating in activities with his children due to background checks, according to his appeal letter.

Milford Patch is not identifying the man because of the pardon, but also because he was under 18 at the time of the crime.

The assault happened in September 1990 when the man's then-girlfriend reported she had been sexually assaulted and kidnapped by a man in Milford. He responded by going to the Milford man's apartment armed with a rifle.

"I tried to scare him into leaving her alone by playing tough guy," he said in an appeal letter. "He wasn't scared of me or my unloaded weapon. He held me at gunpoint until the police arrived and arrested me."

He served a suspended six-month prison sentenced alongside one year of probation on charges of assault by means of a dangerous weapon and armed assault in a dwelling.

"All of these individuals have shown a commitment to their communities and rehabilitation since their convictions. However, the charges are related to decades-old convictions that continue to have an impact on their lives. I look forward to the Governor’s Council’s review of these recommendations," Baker said in a Wednesday news release about the pardons.