Man Arraigned for Assault on State Trooper

BOSTON, April 12, 2022— Suffolk prosecutors arraigned a Boston man on multiple charges after he attacked a Massachusetts State Police trooper Saturday, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.

JOSHUA OCHELTREE, 37, of Boston was charged in the Central Division of Boston Municipal Court with assault and battery of a police officer, mayhem, disorderly conduct and possession of heroin. Judge Richard Sinnott ordered Ocheltree held on $1,000 bail at the request of Assistant District Attorney Kelly Ryan.

On April 9 at approximately 2:14 a.m., Massachusetts State Police responded to a report of a pedestrian on Route 93 Northbound near Massachusetts Avenue. In the area of the South Bay shopping center, the defendant ran in front of the responding trooper's cruiser and onto the median. The trooper instructed him to get down. Ocheltree instead threw an object at the trooper and ran onto Route 93 Southbound. 

The trooper pursued and attempted to restrain Ocheltree away from the road. Ocheltree attempted to grab the trooper's gun, and in the ensuing struggle bit the officer on the wrist and leg, causing him to bleed. Three civilian witnesses helped the trooper restrain the defendant.

Other troopers arrived to take the defendant in for booking, but decided to transport him instead to Boston Medical Center due to his level of impairment. He was discharged the next day. During Ocheltree's booking, officers found a folded-up dollar bill and a substance they believed to be heroin.

The defendant returns to court on May 16. He is represented by Joshua O'Neill. 

          James Borghesani, Chief of Communications

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.