I'm the ag, you're going to regret this: rhode island assistant attorney general arrested for trespassing after giving cops a hard time during investigation

I’m the AG, You’re Going to Regret This: Rhode Island Assistant Attorney General Arrested for Trespassing after Giving Cops a Hard Time During Investigation

Posted by
1 min read
August 19, 2025

NEWPORT, RI — A Special Assistant Attorney General for Rhode Island was arrested last week after allegedly refusing to leave a popular Newport restaurant and clashing with responding officers, repeatedly invoking her government position during the late-night incident caught on police bodycam.

Attorney General Peter Neronha is a registered Democrat in a state that has pushed liberal policies regarding criminal justice reform and revolving door justice policies. That’s good for his assistant attorney general who was just arrested this week.

Devon Hogan Flanagan was taken into custody on Aug. 14 outside Clarke Cooke House at Bannister’s Wharf and charged with willful trespass. Police say Flanagan became argumentative and non-compliant after restaurant staff requested she and her companion, Veronica Hannan, be removed from the premises.

Bodycam video shows Flanagan telling officers, “I’m an AG,” and urging them to turn off their body cameras, falsely claiming they were required to do so at a citizen’s request. When officers told the women they were trespassing and needed to leave, Flanagan responded, “You’re not gonna arrest us,” and later warned police, “You’re gonna regret this.”

“That’s bullsh-t lawyer talk, that’s not the law,” the officer told her.

Photo: i'm the ag, you're going to regret this: rhode island assistant attorney general arrested for trespassing after giving cops a hard time during investigation

Police say they attempted to de-escalate the situation, but both women refused to comply. Flanagan and Hannan were arrested after multiple warnings. Hannan allegedly resisted officers during the arrest, and her husband reportedly attempted to intervene.

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office confirmed Flanagan’s arrest and said she has been employed with the office for seven years, currently assigned to the Appellate Unit of the Criminal Division. Officials said the matter is under internal review and declined further comment, calling it a personnel issue.

The incident has triggered scrutiny given Flanagan’s role in enforcing state law, with bodycam footage circulating widely on social media and drawing attention to her conduct during the confrontation.

The case remains under review, and no disciplinary action has been announced as of Monday.


Key Points

  • Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Flanagan was arrested in Newport for trespassing after refusing to leave a restaurant
  • Bodycam footage shows Flanagan repeatedly identifying herself as “an AG” and clashing with police officers
  • The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office confirmed the arrest and is conducting an internal review

A top Rhode Island prosecutor’s night out turned into a viral arrest after invoking her title in a trespass dispute.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version