A Massachusetts woman who used her beehives to disrupt an eviction has been ordered to serve six months in jail.
Rebecca Woods, 59, was convicted in Springfield District Court on four misdemeanor counts of assault and battery, along with two counts of reckless assault, after an incident in Longmeadow in the fall of 2022. According to reports, Woods released bees while sheriff’s deputies were attempting to evict an elderly man from his home.
Authorities said multiple deputies and staff were stung during the confrontation, with one person requiring hospitalization. The situation also led to the loss of thousands of bees.
Footage shared by the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department shows Woods arriving in a blue SUV pulling a trailer loaded with beehives. As officers approached, she began opening the hives, prompting alarm among those on scene. Officials testified that she had been warned some deputies were allergic to bee stings and that she responded in a way suggesting she was aware of the risk.
Her attorney argued that Woods’ actions were driven by personal experience and concern for the man being evicted, who was nearly 80 years old and undergoing cancer treatment. The defense also disputed the context of her alleged remarks, saying they were made while she was being restrained.
A jury found Woods not guilty on seven felony charges but convicted her on the lesser counts. She had already spent several months in custody related to extradition from Tennessee. Her case is now under appeal.
Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi said the incident was unprecedented for his team, adding that deputies were carrying out a lawful court order when they were confronted with a dangerous situation that put both officers and others at risk.