New Bedford Man Sentenced for Biting and Kicking Police Officer

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A New Bedford man who bit and assaulted a New Bedford police officer while already on probation for similar crimes was convicted recently on the new charges and sentenced to jail time.

Joseph Nascimento, 57, was convicted in New Bedford District Court by a six-person jury of resisting arrest, assault and battery on a police officer, and making threats.

He was sentenced to serve an additional nine months in county jail.

On June 12, 2023, New Bedford Police were called about an ongoing domestic violence complaint related to Nascimento. Police also determined he had an active warrant for his arrest.

At first, officers attempted to speak to him on the street, to which Nascimento said, “(Expletive) you, no,” and began to flee on foot. He was then tackled by an officer and told he was being placed under arrest; Nascimento immediately began to resist by pulling his arms away from the officer and kicking at them.

As more officers arrived to assist in the arrest. Nascimento told police multiple times that he was going to kill him. He was warned that if he continued to resist, he would be Tased. He was eventually stunned twice with no effect each time.

Officers then told Nascimento that if he continued to resist, he would be pepper sprayed. He then stated, “(Expletive) you, I’m going to kill you.”

At that point, an officer was able to get one of Nascimento’s hands behind his back; at that point, Nascimento bit an officer on the hand and broke skin. The officer tried to pull his hand out of Nascimento’s mouth but was unable. The officer finally had to punch him in the mouth to get him to release his hand.

Judge Cynthia Brackett sentenced Nascimento to serve nine months in the Bristol County House of Correction on top of an 18-month jail sentence he is already serving for violating the terms of his probation connected to a similar case where he assaulted court officers at New Bedford District Court.

“This defendant is a career criminal who has no respect for authority or the law. At the time he committed these crimes, he was on probation for similar crimes. He was completely disrespectful to the police and totally out of control,” D.A. Quinn said. “Fortunately he will be off the street for up to 27 months. This case highlights the difficulty police can encounter when trying to restrain uncooperative and violent individuals.”