Off-Duty Chelsea Police Officer Arrested Domestic Assault Charges

Chelsea Police Officer Michael Villanueva, 33, was arrested early Thursday morning and faces charges of domestic assault and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon following a reported disturbance in Chelsea. Officers responded to the incident around 1:30 a.m., interviewed witnesses, and, with assistance from Everett Police, arrested Villanueva, who was off duty at the time. He has been placed on administrative leave pending both a criminal case and an internal investigation by the department’s Professional Standards Division. Villanueva was arraigned in Chelsea District Court, pleaded not guilty, and was released on personal recognizance. The Chelsea Police Department emphasized its commitment to cooperating fully with the judicial process and has not released further details on the incident. Villanueva joined the department in 2016 after graduating from the Lowell Police Academy.