DA: 23-year-old Fall River man sentenced to prison for vicious attack at local restaurant and bar

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn, III has announced that a 23-year-old Fall River man pled guilty in the Fall River Superior Court to Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon causing Serious Bodily Injury and Assault and Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury.

Elionei Dejesus Mendes was sentenced by the Honorable Brian Glenny to a State Prison sentence of 3 to 5 years followed by 3 years of Supervised Probation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gillian Kirsch. The Commonwealth requested a State Prison sentence of 4 to 6 years, the defendant requested 2 to 4 years.  

On August 2, 2025, New Bedford Police were dispatched to Bento’s Bar at 555 Pleasant Street for a fight outside of the establishment.  Upon arrival, police located the victim, Nuno Lima, unconscious on the sidewalk being attacked by the defendant and a co-defendant.  As police approached, Mendes walked away while an Officer took the co-defendant into custody.  While the officer was placing the co-defendant into the cruiser, Mendes returned to the unconscious victim and proceeded to kick him in the head repeatedly before running off.  He was then placed under arrest, about one block from the scene, after being chased by police. The victim’s blood was found on the defendant’s sneakers. The victim began to have seizures on the sidewalk and was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment.  The victim was diagnosed with multiple brain bleeds and continues to suffer from injuries related to the attack.  Witnesses on scene indicated that Mendes kept approaching the victim inside the bar during the evening.  When the victim and his friends were waiting outside of the bar at the end of the night, the co-defendant and Mendes started a physical altercation with the victim’s friend.  When the victim attempted to intervene, he was then attacked by Mendes and the co-defendant whereby they kicked and stomped on the victim once he was on the ground. 

“This is a vicious act of violence that has left the victim significantly impaired and permanently injured. Sadly, the victim did not have the money to go to physical rehabilitation. The defendant even kicked the victim in the head with the police at the scene.  That shows a disturbed mind and no conscience and the victim’s life is changed forever,” District Attorney Tom Quinn said.