Fall River Man Who Assaulted Elderly Victims Holding “Back the Blue” Signs Sentenced to Jail
Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney
Press Release
March 14, 2023
A 25-year-old Fall River man who assaulted three senior citizens who were holding “Back the Blue” signs outside the Fall River Police Station last October was sentenced to serve jail time last Thursday in Fall River District Court,” Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.
Jajuan Torres pled guilty in district court to three counts of assault and battery on a person over the age of 60. Judge Thomas Barrett sentenced the defendant to two years in the Bristol County House of Corrections, with 120 days to serve and the balance of the sentence suspended for two years. If the defendant gets in further trouble during those two years, he will be liable to serve the entirety of the jail sentence. The judge also ordered him to undergo mental health treatment.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Henry Sousa.
On October 29, 2022, Fall River Police responded to the police station parking lot and observed the defendant confronting three older men holding “Back the Blue” signs. The defendant slapped a 66-year-old man in the head in front of the officers. An 84-year-old man then told police that prior to their arrival, the defendant had approached him and demanded he give him the sign he was holding. When the victim refused, the defendant tried to grab it from him, pushing him to the ground in the process. A 64-year-old man attempted to intervene, which resulted in the defendant spitting on him and slapping him in the head. When the men told the defendant they were going to call 911, the defendant said he would “slap the (expletive) out of you guys for calling the police.”
Two of the victims appeared in court during last Thursday’s plea hearing and were pleased with the disposition of the case. They both addressed the court and expressed forgiveness to the defendant, and said they hope he gets the help he needs. This is the defendant’s first felony conviction.
“This conduct is simply unacceptable especially when directed at older victims, who were exercising their First Amendment rights. I am pleased that the defendant was held accountable for his actions,” District Attorney Quinn said.
Contact:
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
774-292-9576