Three charged with armed assault for murder, additional charges after five Massachusetts correctional officers injured in attack – Fall River Reporter

Three inmates are facing charges following a recent attack on correctional officers.

According to Scott Croteau of the Massachusetts Department of Correction, shortly after 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18, the Massachusetts Department of Correction received a report of several injured correctional officers at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center. Two correctional officers were attacked by incarcerated people and suffered multiple stab wounds. Three other correctional officers were injured while responding to the incident. A total of five correctional officers were transported to area hospitals for medical treatment.

Massachusetts Department of Correction investigators filed charges in Clinton District Court against the following three individuals. The criminal charges were issued on Friday, September 27th.

• Jose R. Crespo, 39, is charged with assault, armed assault and battery. Arraignment scheduled for Oct. 11.
• Heriberto Rivera-Negron, 36, is charged with assault, armed assault and battery. Arraignment scheduled for October 10.
• Jeffrey Tapia, 30, is charged with assault, armed assault and battery. Arraignment scheduled for October 15.

“Assaults against our officers will not be tolerated and the serious charges against the three individuals show that the Massachusetts Department of Correction will take action.” This type of violence is unacceptable and those involved will now be held accountable in court. We have made and will continue to make the safety and health of our correctional officers a priority and appreciate their commitment to the DOC and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our investigators have worked tirelessly since the incident to bring these charges.” – Interim DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins