BOSTON — The Massachusetts state trooper who leaked arrest photos of the Boston Marathon bombing suspect is back on patrol.

A state police spokesman confirms that Sgt. Sean Murphy has been assigned to the Athol barracks in north-central Massachusetts.

The spokesman, David Procopio, says the assignment that started last week is not punishment for the unauthorized release of photos of a bloodied Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. He says that investigation is ongoing.

Murphy leaked the photos in response to what many perceived as a glamorous photo of Tsarnaev on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

Murphy served a short suspension and was placed on desk duty last month. Col. Timothy Alben, the state police commander, has said Murphy is unlikely to be fired.

Murphy’s lawyer did not return a message Thursday.


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