Nicholas M. Hoar, Civil Rights Violations & False Reports, Massachusetts 2020

A shocking incident has been reported in Fall River, Massachusetts, where a police officer has been accused of a heinous crime. Nicholas M. Hoar, a 35-year-old Fall River Police Officer, has been arrested and charged with deprivation of rights under color of law and two counts of false reports. The arrest came after an alleged assault with a baton on a man in Fall River Police custody on December 21, 2020.

According to the indictment, Hoar struck the individual in the forehead with a baton, resulting in bodily injury to the arrestee. The indictment further alleges that Hoar submitted two reports which omitted any mention of the fact that he had struck the arrestee in the forehead with a baton on December 21 and 22, 2020.

The charge of deprivation of rights under color of law resulting in bodily injury provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of false reports provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Nicholas M. Hoar, a Fall River Police Officer, has been accused of deprivation of rights under color of law and two counts of false reports. The alleged assault with a baton on a man in Fall River Police custody occurred on December 21, 2020, in Fall River, Massachusetts. Hoar faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for deprivation of rights under color of law resulting in bodily injury, and up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for false reports.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit. Hoar will appear in federal court in Boston today at 1:45pm before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many questioning the actions of the police officer. The case is a reminder that police officers are not above the law and will be held accountable for their actions.

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