Top Trooper Yanked from Karen Read Case Weeks After Acquittal

BOSTON — A top state police investigator involved in the Karen Read case has been transferred out of the Norfolk County District Attorney’s office, just weeks after Read was acquitted of all major charges.

Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik, one of the lead investigators in the case, has been reassigned to the Division of Field Services at the South Boston barracks, according to MassLive.

The transfer comes months after Bukhenik was docked five vacation days for failing to properly supervise now-fired Trooper Michael Proctor — including participating in a group text where Proctor joked about searching Karen Read’s phone “for nudes,” as reported by WCVB.

Bukhenik also failed to document Proctor’s misconduct using the department’s employee evaluation system, state police found.

He is now the second trooper removed from the Norfolk DA’s investigative team. Det. Lt. Brian Tully was transferred last October.

Bukhenik faced tough cross-examination during both of Read’s trials, where the defense claimed the investigation was mishandled and alleged Proctor planted evidence.

While Bukhenik stood by the probe in court, his quiet reassignment is renewing questions about the case’s original handling.

State police have not explained the reason for the transfer.