Former Fall River police officer sentenced after facing several criminal cases

A terminated Fall River police officer, who was arrested on domestic violence charges in 2021, had 4 felony charges added in February of 2022, and faced new assault and battery on family/household member charge earlier this year, has pled guilty to the charges.

Bryan Custadio was sentenced to 14 months in the Bristol County House of Corrections, according to the Herald News.

According to Deputy Chief Barden Castro, on Sunday, November 28, 2021, Fall River Police supervisors responded to a domestic dispute involving a Fall River police officer, later determined as Custadio.

“An investigation was conducted by patrol sergeants which resulted in the arrest on several counts of domestic related offenses. The officer was brought to the police station where they were booked, afforded a phone call, and detained for 6 hours in accordance with Massachusetts General Law.”

A statement released in February of 2022 stated that “Police Department Command Staff were notified and supervisors assigned to the Office of Professional Standards are involved. Additionally, a supervisor assigned to the Major Crimes Division will be working with the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office on any follow-up investigation which may be needed. The employee has been relieved of duty and has been placed on leave.”

According to the Fall River District Court, Bryan Custadio appeared in court on assault and battery charges on November 29th, 2021, and was released.

Custadio appeared in court in February of 2022 for his arraignment where 4 new felony charges were added. According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, the charges included Strangulation, Withholding Evidence from a Criminal Proceeding, and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.

Custadio was then terminated in the summer of 2022 after an investigation and an officer hearing where evidence presented led to the termination.

In January of this year, the Massachusetts POST Commission suspended Custadio from being an officer in the state due to the pending felony charges.

Custadio was arrested the week of February 27th of this year on the new assault and battery on family/household member charge. According to the Clerk’s Office, he was arraigned and was held for 120 days.

In addition to Custadio’s guilty plea, another former Fall River police officer also pled guilty recently.

Last week, former Fall River police officer Michael Pessoa pled guilty on his two remaining cases which will be served concurrently with his current 1 1/2-to-3-year sentence he has been serving since June for excessive force.