Trooper Unlikely To Lose Job Over Tsarnaev Photos

The veteran Massachusetts State Police sergeant who released hundreds of photos of the capture of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has been placed on restrictive duty, the agency announced Tuesday.

Sgt. Sean Murphy now faces an internal investigation into his decision to provide the photos to Boston Magazine in response to a Rolling Stone magazine cover showing the accused Boston Marathon bomber in a flattering light. He headed to a hearing Tuesday in front of a three-member panel that will recommend disciplinary action.

State Police Colonel Timothy Alben told Boston Magazine that Sgt. Murphy would likely not be fired, but his actions were "disappointing" based on his blemish-free record.

Murphy has served with the agency for 25 years. A Facebook page garnered nearly 50,000 supporters of Sgt. Murphy.