Last Updated on 2 months by Vijay Kumar
A Rhode Island prosecutor is under review by her own office after she was arrested outside a popular Newport restaurant last week, with newly released body-worn camera footage showing her repeatedly invoking her job title and demanding police shut off their cameras.
Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Hogan Flanagan was taken into custody Thursday night along with her friend, Veronica Hannan, following a trespassing complaint outside the Clarke Cooke House on Bannister’s Wharf.
Devon Hogan Flanagan serves as a Special Assistant Attorney General in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, primarily assigned to the Appellate Unit of the Criminal Division. She has held this role for approximately seven years.
On August 14, 2025, Flanagan was arrested outside the Clarke Cooke House restaurant in Newport after failing to leave when asked. She was charged with willful trespass and given a summons. The incident’s bodycam footage drew significant attention for her repeated claims, “I’m an AG,” and requests for officers to turn off their body cameras.
According to Newport police, officers responded to a call about “an unwanted party” at the restaurant. When officers arrived, bodycam footage shows Flanagan insisting: “I want you to turn your bodycam off. Protocol is that you turn it off. It’s a citizen request.”
Police told both women they were no longer welcome at the restaurant and urged them to leave. But the situation escalated after a staff member confirmed to officers that he wanted the pair trespassed.
Despite multiple warnings, Flanagan refused to comply and continued identifying herself as “an AG.” At one point, she told officers: “You’re not going to arrest us.” Moments later, she was placed in handcuffs.
As she was led into a cruiser, Flanagan warned: “Buddy, you’re going to regret this. You’re going to regret it. I’m an A—” before the door was shut, cutting her off mid-sentence.
Hannan, who police say resisted arrest, also struggled with officers—slipping out of her handcuffs at one point and attempting to block a cruiser door with her feet while shouting: “Get your (expletive) hands off me.”
Legal and Policy Questions Raised
The confrontation has sparked scrutiny over Flanagan’s conduct. A spokesperson for the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office said Monday the matter is under review, stressing that her demand for officers to shut off cameras does not reflect statewide policy.
Law enforcement experts note that Rhode Island law requires officers to keep cameras running during public encounters to ensure transparency. “The fact that someone holds a certain title or office doesn’t change the circumstances,” said security consultant Todd McGhee.
Reactions
When contacted by local media, Flanagan declined to comment. Hannan’s attorney, John Grasso, said his client is “overwhelmed and embarrassed” after watching the footage.
A manager at Clarke Cooke House declined to say why the women were no longer welcome at the restaurant.
For now, both women face charges connected to the incident while the Attorney General’s Office continues its internal review.
My name is Vijay Kumar. I work as content writer and founder of this website. I am studying BSC IT. I has been writing content since 2022. I also learn about journalism.