BOSTON, February 20, 2025 – A South Boston man was arraigned Friday on assault and drug charges after being arrested for following a Transit Police officer into a store and assaulting him, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

JESUS TORRES, 22, was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct, possession to distribute a class A substance, and trafficking fentanyl over 10 grams.

Judge Margaret Albertson released Torres on personal recognizance and ordered an evaluation by a court clinician. Torres is due back in court on March 13 for a pre-trial hearing.

At approximately 6:46 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, a MBTA Transit Police officer was crossing the street from Andrew Station to 7-Eleven on Dorchester Avenue when an unknown male, later identified as Torres, began shouting expletives at the officer. Torres then walked toward the officer and continued to verbally accost him.

Torres followed the officer across the street and began shouting “do something”, approximately one foot away from the officer’s face. The officer created distance from Torres by extending his arm and telling him to back up. Torres then followed the officer inside the 7-Eleven and stood approximately six inches away and shouted at the officer to buy him food. The cashier asked Torres multiple times to stop yelling and leave the store.

While at the register, Torres poked the officer in the back and continued to challenge him to a fight. After the officer called for additional units, Torres poked the officer on his badge and stated another expletive.

Once outside, Torres took a fighting position by blading his stance and clenching his fists. After a brief struggle, officers were able to place Torres under arrest. Upon arrest, officers recovered nine small plastic bags containing what officers believed to be fentanyl, weighing approximately 11 grams.

Officers were approached by a bystander who corroborated the officer’s account.

Torres has a pending case out of Chelsea District Court where he is charged with assault and battery on an elder or disabled person.

“Every time a police officer puts on the uniform and goes into the field the reality exists that something unpredictable, and perhaps dangerous, is going to confront them. This incident is a good example.  I’m grateful that no one was hurt here and I commend the officer involved for handling the matter in such a professional manner,” Hayden said.

 All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.