Fall River man sentenced to prison for beating, robbing and sexually assaulting his girlfriend

A 39-year-old Fall River man was sentenced to prison earlier this week after being convicted of beating, robbing and sexually assaulting his girlfriend, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Shaun Medeiros pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court to indictments charging him with two counts of Domestic Assault and Battery, and one count each of Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, Strangulation, Witness Intimidation, Larceny Under $1,200, Larceny under $1,200 by False Pretense, Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest and Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person over the Age of 14. Medeiros was sentenced to serve up to a decade in prison.

This case mostly involved two separate incidents of domestic violence that occurred about a week apart from one another in late May of 20202. During the first incident Medeiros struck the victim, held his hand over her mouth, prevented her from calling 911 and then slammed her head into the headboard of the bed. This beating resulted in significant bruising all over the victim’s body, which she began to document over the next few days.

Then, about a week later, Medeiros again beat the victim and forced her to perform oral on him while she was laying down. At some point Medeiros also ripped a large chunk of her hair. He then took some of her jewelry and pawned it at a local store against her will. After Medeiros fell asleep, the victim was able to flee to Fall River Police. After a search of the defendant’s apartment, he was located hiding in the closet and fought with the arresting officers. He also assaulted a correctional officer while in custody.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kyle McPherson and the state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Thomas McGuire.

“The defendant, who has a criminal history, violently assaulted the victim on more than one occasion and even ripped chunks of her hair from her scalp. While in custody awaiting trial, he also assaulted a correctional officer. The defendant is clearly out of control and needs be kept off the street to protect the public,” District Attorney Quinn said.