Devon Hogan Flanagan, a Special Assistant Attorney General in Rhode Island, was arrested for trespassing outside a Newport restaurant on August 14, 2025, after telling officers “you’re going to regret this.” She pleaded no contest, was suspended without pay for six months, and returned to the Attorney General’s office in a reassigned role in February 2026.
What Happened at the Clarke Cooke House
Newport police responded to a call at about 9:51 p.m. on August 14, 2025, from the Clarke Cooke House on Bannister’s Wharf, where staff reported patrons refusing to leave. A restaurant worker told the responding officer, “Trespass, yeah. Cuff ’em, please.”1Police1. Assistant Rhode Island AG Who Told Police They Would Regret Arresting Her Pleads No Contest for Trespassing
Flanagan, a seven-year veteran of the AG’s Criminal Division, was there with a companion, Veronica L. Hannan. Police said the two were asked to leave 13 times and “continually refused and argued, raising their voices.”2Newport This Week. Attorney General Staffer Faces Charges in Newport Both were charged with willful trespass. Hannan also faced charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.3What’s Up Newp. Two Arrested for Trespassing at the Clarke Cooke House
What the Bodycam Video Showed
Police bodycam footage of the encounter went viral. Flanagan repeatedly identified herself by title, saying “I’m an AG” more than once. When the first officer replied, “Good for you, I don’t give a s—. Let’s go,” she pressed the point: “You’re arresting an AG.”4ABC News. Rhode Island Prosecutor Arrested for Trespass in Newport
She also demanded that officers turn off their body cameras, claiming it was “protocol” that they had to comply with a citizen’s request. Officers told her no such rule existed. The AG’s office later confirmed that state policy permits camera deactivation only for victims or witnesses of crimes, not for suspects or on general request.5Police1. Video Shows R.I. Assistant AG Refusing to Cooperate With Officers During Arrest
As she was handcuffed and placed in a cruiser, Flanagan said, “Buddy, you’re gonna regret this. You’re gonna regret it.” She complained about not being read her Miranda rights and disputed the trespass itself, telling the officer, “We’re not trespassing, you haven’t notified us that we’re trespassing.”4ABC News. Rhode Island Prosecutor Arrested for Trespass in Newport
The Court Outcome
Flanagan appeared in Newport County District Court on August 27, 2025, and pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of willful trespass. Judge J. Terence Houlihan imposed a six-month filing, meaning the charge would be eligible for dismissal after one year if she stayed out of trouble. He ordered her to stay away from the Clarke Cooke House and to pay a court fee of $96.75.6Rhode Island Current. “I’m an AG” Video Subject Still Is, and Back at Work in New Assignment Flanagan wrote letters of apology to the Newport officers involved.7Rhode Island Current. Assistant AG Suspended Without Pay for Six Months
How the Attorney General’s Office Responded
Attorney General Peter Neronha addressed the arrest publicly on August 19, 2025, calling Flanagan’s behavior “inexcusable” and saying, “I’m not sure what she was thinking. Clearly she was not thinking straight.” He described the incident as “alcohol related” and said Flanagan was “really remorseful” after he showed her the bodycam video.8WJAR (Turnto10). Neronha Reacts to Assistant Attorney General’s Arrest
On August 25, 2025, Neronha placed Flanagan on unpaid leave for six months. He was pointed about her attempt to get the officers to shut off their cameras, noting his office had authored the statewide body camera policy. “Flanagan mistreated the Newport Police Department and embarrassed herself, the Office, and frankly me,” he said, adding, “I sincerely hope she takes this time to reflect on the seriousness of her conduct and makes corrective changes in her life.”9NBC News. Rhode Island Assistant AG Suspended After Warning Officers They’d Regret Arrest
Neronha also said the difficulty of “finding and keeping capable lawyers” factored into his decision not to terminate her outright.8WJAR (Turnto10). Neronha Reacts to Assistant Attorney General’s Arrest
Where Flanagan Is Now
The suspension ran through late February 2026. Flanagan returned to the AG’s office on February 23, 2026. Her title of Special Assistant Attorney General stayed the same, but she was reassigned from the Appellate Unit of the Criminal Division to the Providence County Superior Court daily calendar, a role focused on day-to-day courtroom proceedings rather than appellate briefs. The office did not characterize the move as a formal demotion.10WJAR (Turnto10). “I’m an AG” From Viral Video Back at Work but in Different Role
State payroll records showed her annual salary at approximately $117,437 upon her return, up from $112,920 before the suspension, due to statewide cost-of-living adjustments that took effect while she was on leave. Online court records as of early 2026 confirmed she had remained incident-free since the summer of 2025.6Rhode Island Current. “I’m an AG” Video Subject Still Is, and Back at Work in New Assignment Flanagan is a Suffolk Law graduate whose prior work at the office focused on representing the state in criminal appeals.11NBC News. Video Captures Rhode Island Prosecutor Warn Officers They Will Regret Arrest
An Earlier Alcohol-Related Case at the Same Office
Flanagan’s arrest was not the first alcohol-related incident involving a prosecutor under Neronha. On July 4, 2022, Special Assistant Attorney General Edward Mullaney was arrested by Barrington police after officers observed him driving “for multiple miles without a front-wheel tire.” Police reported he was slurring his speech and confused about what town he was in.12WPRI. R.I. Special Assistant AG Gets DUI Charge Tossed Out
Mullaney, who had prosecuted narcotics and violent crimes cases, was charged with operating under the influence and refusing to submit to a breathalyzer test. He was placed on immediate unpaid leave and resigned two days later, on July 6, 2022, after meeting with Neronha. The AG’s office recused itself, and the Barrington Town solicitor handled the prosecution.13GoLocal Prov. Special Assistant Attorney General Under Neronha Resigns After DUI Stop The criminal DUI charge was dismissed and sealed. Mullaney pleaded guilty to the civil infraction of refusing a chemical test and received a 30-day license suspension, four months with an ignition interlock system, an alcohol education program, DWI treatment, and 10 hours of community service.12WPRI. R.I. Special Assistant AG Gets DUI Charge Tossed Out