Former Fall River police officer sentenced to prison for assaulting man in police custody, falsifying reports

BOSTON – A now former Fall River police officer arrested in November 2022 in connection with an alleged assault with a baton on a man in Fall River Police custody has been sentenced in Boston court.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, 37-year-old Nicholas M. Hoar was convicted on one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and two counts of false reports. He was found guilty on all charges and sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs to 33 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release.

“Police officers take an oath to uphold the law and the vast majority of men and women in uniform bravely protect and serve the public across this District each and every day,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Nicholas Hoar violated his oath and broke the law. This lengthy prison sentence sends a message to the entire community that we will continue to hold members of law enforcement accountable when they violate a person’s civil rights.” 

“What Nicholas Hoar did is indefensible and a serious divergence from the oath he took to faithfully serve and protect the citizens of Fall River,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “There is no question police officers have a challenging job, but it doesn’t give them the right to beat someone in their custody and lie about it. Those under arrest retain the same civil rights you and I do. Know that the FBI is determined to defend those rights, and root out corrupt law enforcement officers, on behalf of the vast majority who carry out their duties with honor.”

At his arraignment in 2022, Hoar pleaded not guilty and was released.

According to the indictment, on Dec. 21, 2020, while on duty as an officer with the Fall River Police Department, Hoar struck 57-year-old William Harvey, who had been arrested, in the forehead with a baton, resulting in bodily injury. The indictment further alleged that, on Dec. 21 and Dec. 22, 2020, Hoar submitted two reports which omitted any mention of the fact that he had struck the arrestee in the forehead with a baton.

Harvey settled with the City of Fall River concerning a lawsuit based on the alleged assault.

The Fall River Police Department issued the following statement in 2022 when Hoar was arrested.

“When the department was notified of the complaint against Officer Hoar, he was immediately placed on paid administrative leave. After consultation with the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), it was determined that the best course of action was to have the FBI conduct the investigation. Effective immediately, Officer Hoar has been placed on unpaid administrative leave.”

In January of 2023, Hoar was suspended by the Massachusetts POST Commission.