Press Release
North Reading Woman Arrested for Assaulting Federal Officer
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts
BOSTON – A North Reading woman was arrested this morning and charged in federal court in Boston with assaulting a federal officer.
Francesca Elliott, 24, was charged in a criminal complaint with one count with assaulting a federal officer. Elliott was released on conditions following an initial appearance.
According to the charging documents, on Aug. 17, 2019, at approximately 10:30 p.m., two individuals exited an event at TD Garden and entered the grounds of the Thomas P. O’Neill Federal Building on Causeway Street in Boston. A uniformed member of the Federal Protective Service noted that both of the individuals were speaking in loud, aggressive tones and appeared to be intoxicated. As the individuals approached the uniformed officer, one of the individuals appeared to become more aggressive and started charging at the officer, who ordered the individual to stop. The individual continued rushing towards the officer, becoming more aggressive, balling his fists, and shouting at the officer to “Do you job.” At this point, fearing that the individual was about to assault him, the officer informed the individual that he was being arrested for disorderly conduct and to place his hands behind his back.
As the officer was attempting to secure this individual, the other individual – Elliott –allegedly struck the officer in the face with her cellphone, causing a laceration on his right eye. The officer released the first individual, and after a brief struggle, was able to secure Elliott in handcuffs.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Jason Molina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Timothy Bane, Regional Director of the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Updated January 8, 2021
Topic
Violent Crime
Component