Ex-Massachusetts Cop Charged With Assaulting After Punching Man 13 Times While Screaming At Him To Stop Resisting

Weymouth, Massachusetts - Ex-Cop charged with assaulting man during arrest: ‘Punching him in his face’ 13 times

A former police officer has been charged with assaulting a man during an arrest, allegedly punching the suspect 13 times, according to the feds.

Ex-Weymouth cop Justin Chappell, 43, is accused of punching the man without legal justification.

Chappell has been charged with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on Thursday.

The alleged incident was on July 2, 2022, when Chappell was a police officer for the Weymouth Police Department. While arresting a suspect, Chappell allegedly punched the man 13 times without legal justification.

“It is hard to comprehend why Justin Chappell allegedly felt entitled to repeatedly beat a man in his custody, punching him in his face approximately 13 times,” Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division, said in a statement.

“In doing so, we believe Officer Chappell violated this man’s civil rights and betrayed his sworn oath, his community, and colleagues,” Cohen added. “We’d like to thank the Weymouth Police Department for its full cooperation with our investigation.”

The charge of deprivation of rights under color of law resulting in bodily injury provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs scheduled a plea hearing for next Thursday.

“Members of law enforcement take an oath to serve and protect with professionalism and integrity,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy. “Today’s court filings allege that Officer Chappell violated this solemn obligation. Our office will continue to hold accountable officers who deprive people of rights under color of law.”