Police officer found guilty of using baton on prisoner

BOSTON (AP) — A Fall River police officer was convicted Thursday of assaulting a man in custody with a baton and failing to report the attack.

Nicholas M. Hoar, 37, was convicted after a four-day jury trial of one count of deprivation of rights under law and two counts of false report.

Hoar, who was arrested and charged in November 2022, is scheduled to be sentenced on April 24.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy said, “Police officers who abuse their power will be held accountable by this office.”

Prosecutors said that on December 21, 2020, while on duty at the Fall River Police Department, Hoar struck an arrestee in the forehead with a baton, injuring him.

According to investigators, that day and the next day, Hoar submitted two reports that made no mention of the fact that he had hit the man with a baton.

Hoar had pleaded innocent.

Under the law, charges of bodily injury resulting in deprivation of rights are punishable by up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

The false report charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

Sentences are handed down by a federal district court judge.

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