New Bedford Man Jailed 2.5 Years for Domestic Assault Case

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A New Bedford man will serve two and a half years in the Bristol County House of Correction for domestic assault and battery and other charges after he punched his girlfriend on multiple occasions.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said that Michael Silva, 45, pleaded guilty in New Bedford District Court on October 27, 2026, to assault and battery in violation of a restraining order, domestic assault and battery, larceny from a building, and threats to commit a crime.

He was sentenced to 2.5 years on the first charge, followed by five years of supervised probation for the domestic assault and battery and larceny from a building charges, and a concurrent sentence of six months for the threats.

Details of the Domestic Assaults and Restraining Order Violations

The charges date back to 2024, when on March 3 of that year, Silva punched his girlfriend with a closed fist during an argument that left her with a swollen lump and bruising.

Then on February 21, 2025, Silva told a second female victim, “When you walk to Dunkin’ Donuts, you better watch your back or have someone with you.”

On October 2, 2025, the female victim had an active restraining order against Silva when he punched her multiple times in the face, resulting in swelling and a black eye. He also took her cell phone before leaving her home.

DA Quinn Calls Out Repeat Offender History

The D.A.’s Office said Silva has a history of violent offenses and has served jail time in the past.

“The defendant is a career criminal who has a history of beating up women. In these cases, he punched the victim in the face while violating a restraining order. This defendant does not belong on the street,” D.A. Quinn said. “Thankfully, Judges Joseph Harrington and Heath Antonio were firm with the defendant and held him accountable for his violent and brutal behavior.”

Additional Pending Charges Facing Defendant

“The defendant was also rearrested on a sex charge, which is pending. This is a defendant who belongs off the street for good, but the penalties do not allow for that," he said.

The Victims in the New Bedford Highway Murders

The New Bedford highway murders took place in 1988, with the bodies discovered into 1989. The killer is confirmed to have killed nine women and suspected of murdering at least two more. Although there were at least three different men considered as suspects by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, the murders remain unsolved and the families of the victims are still searching for closure. The cases are all featured on the unsolved cases page of the Bristol County District Attorney's Office website.

Gallery Credit: Tim Weisberg