New Bedford man convicted of biting police officer

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — A New Bedford man was convicted of assaulting a New Bedford Police Officer and sentenced to nine months in the county jail, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

Joseph Nascimento, 57, of New Bedford, was convicted for resisting arrest, and the assault and battery of a police officer.

On June 12, 2023, New Bedford Police were notified about an ongoing domestic violence complaint about Nascimento, who they soon discovered had an active arrest warrant.

Officers attempted to speak to the defendant on the street, who then fled the scene.

Nascimento was then tackled and resisted arrest, kicking at the officers and threatening “I’m going to kill you,” according to New Bedford Police.

After repeated resistance and being tased twice to no effect, the defendant was restrained when he bit the officer’s hand and broke skin.

The officer attempted to pull his hand out of the defendant’s mouth multiple times, and finally was released after punching him in the mouth.

While applying aid to the defendant, the officer was kicked in the head.

Nascimento will begin his new sentence after completion of an 18-month jail sentence he is currently serving for violating the terms of his probation, where he previously assaulted court officers at New Bedford District Court.