Man sentenced for tasing, biting Fall River police officers during 2024 arrest
FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — A previously homeless man pleaded guilty to charges that he tased a Fall River police officer during a 2024 break-in call response and bit another officer during his arrest.
Hector Fernandez, 41, was convicted of the following charges on Tuesday in Fall River Superior Court:
- Assault and battery attempting to disarm a police officer
- Three counts of assault and battery on a public employee
- Carrying a firearm without a license
- Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon
- Resisting arrest
He was sentenced the same day to two to three years in state prison.
The incident occurred on March 22, 2024 when Fall River officers responded to a break-in call at 739 Eastern Avenue.
Arriving officers recognized Fernandez for active arrest warrants after encountering him in a stairwell.
He resisted being placed in handcuffs and an officer’s attempt to tase Fernandez was ineffective.
During a physical struggle, two officers dropped their tasers, and Fernandez picked one of the devices up and deployed it, striking an officer.
The officer was able to disarm Fernandez of the taser and additional arriving officers assisted in taking him into custody.
Fernandez then bit one of the officers as he was handcuffed.
He was transported to an area hospital and was determined to be under the influence of fentanyl.
Fernandez said he suffers from mental health issues during sentencing.
