Don J. Civitarese, 58, of North Attleboro, MA, attacked a federal officer at the Providence VA Medical Center, punching him in the chest and collapsing on another officer during a violent outburst. A federal jury convicted Civitarese Monday on charges of assaulting and resisting a federal officer.
The incident erupted March 2, 2018, inside the VA’s Primary Care Clinic after staff refused to dispense medication to Civitarese without completing required protocols. He responded with a tirade of obscenities, screaming at staff and patients in the waiting area while a doctor tried to explain the delay. The scene quickly spiraled into chaos.
VA Police Officer John M. Thibodeau dispatched to the clinic found Civitarese storming into the hallway. Ordered to produce ID, Civitarese refused, continuing his verbal barrage. When the officer declared him under arrest for disorderly conduct and demanded he place his hands behind his back, Civitarese ignored all commands.
As the officer attempted to subdue him, Civitarese struck him hard in the chest, knocking him into exit doors. The officer drew pepper spray, shouting, “Stop resisting and get on the ground or I will spray OC!” Civitarese charged forward. A burst of spray hit him in the face, but he kept fighting.
A second officer applied an arm lock, but Civitarese resisted, struggling violently until multiple baton strikes to the thighs and calves brought him down. He fell directly on top of the officer beneath him. Two more officers arrived, finally securing his arms and slapping on cuffs.
Civitarese is set for sentencing August 8, 2019, before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith. He faces up to 8 years in federal prison, 3 years supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. The case is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zechariah Chafee.
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Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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