Sentencing delayed for former Fall River cop in excessive force case

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — The sentencing of a former Fall River cop found guilty last month of using excessive force was delayed on Wednesday.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said Michael Pessoa is now set to be sentenced on June 21.

Prosecutors did not say what prompted the change.

A jury found Pessoa guilty of assault and battery, intimidation, civil rights violation and filing false police reports. The four different incidents happened between 2014 and 2019.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said four victims were hospitalized in those cases.

Pessoa — who was a 17-year veteran of the force — was indicted in 2019. He initially pled not guilty to all the charges.