Fall River Police Officer Found Guilty of Beating a Suspect and Covering It Up

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — A Fall River police officer has been found guilty of assaulting a man in custody with a baton and failing to report the assault.

Nicholas Hoar, 37, was convicted of one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and two counts of false reports following a four-day trial.

On December 21, 2020, while on duty as an officer with the department, where he was the fifth generation in his family to serve, Hoar struck an arrested man in the forehead with a baton, injuring him.

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That day and the next day, Hoar submitted two reports omitting any mention of the fact that he had struck the arrestee.

Hoar was arrested and charged in November 2022. Sentencing is scheduled for April 24, 2024.

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.