Massachusetts police officer convicted of assaulting man in custody with baton

A Fall River police officer, Nicholas Hoar, has been found guilty after a four-day jury trial of assaulting a man in custody with a baton and failing to report the assault. The conviction includes one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and two counts of false reports. Hoar, 37, was arrested and charged in November 2022 and is awaiting sentencing scheduled for April 24.

Details of the incident

The incident occurred on December 21, 2020, when Hoar used a baton to strike a man in custody and then submitted reports that intentionally omitted any reference to the assault. As a result, Hoar's actions led to a lawsuit against the city, which was ultimately settled for $65,000 in 2022.

Legal ramifications

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy emphasized that the conviction of Hoar demonstrates the commitment to holding accountable those who misuse their power. The charge of deprivation of rights under color of law resulting in bodily injury carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, and the charge of false reports carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. The sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge.

Importance of upholding the law

This case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of police misconduct and the importance of upholding the law and respecting the rights of individuals, especially when they are in police custody.