Man convicted of assaulting correctional officers sentenced

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — A man who was convicted of assaulting three different correctional officers on three separate occasions was sentenced after pleading guilty Thursday.

Kevin Branco, 37, was sentenced to serve 18 to 36 months in state prison, according to the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III.

Branco faced two counts of assault and battery on a correctional officer, two counts of assault and battery on a correctional officer with bodily substance and one count of civil rights violation.

The incidents occurred in March of 2018, Dec. of 2018 and March of 2019, respectively.

One of the officers was forced to leave law enforcement entirely due to a severe shoulder injury sustained in an attack by Branco.

All incidents were captured on video surveillance.

Branco has previously served time for assault and battery on a child, assault and battery on a correctional officer and arson.

“This defendant engaged in outrageous behavior while being held in custody awaiting trial. He injured one officer who had to then leave law enforcement.  This behavior is uncivilized conduct. He can’t even control himself while in jail and is a clear danger to the community,” said District Attorney Quinn.

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