By Stephanie Barry
masslive.com
SPRINGFIELD, MA — A Hadley woman faces multiple assault charges after allegedly unleashing a swarm of bees onto Hampden County Sheriff’s Department deputies attempting to serve an eviction notice in Longmeadow.
Rorie S. Woods had more than one bee in her bonnet when she rolled into the driveway of 49 Memery Lane on the morning of Oct. 12, according to court records. Instead of a standard eviction notice, deputies found themselves targets of a sting operation.
Deputies arrived at the $1.5 million home to serve eviction papers on homeowner Alton King Jr., but were met with a cluster of protesters instead.
“During this time, the officers secured the premises and waited for Mr. King to return, as we were told that he was at court trying to delay the eviction,” reads a report authored by deputy sheriff Daniel H. Soto.
Minutes later an SUV towing a trailer pulled into the driveway, and a woman emerged from the driver’s seat, according to Soto’s report.
“At that time a female later identified as Rorie Susan Woods exited her vehicle and went to the back of the trailer and started shaking bee hives to let the bees out,” the report states. “Deputy Michael Joslyn attempted to stop Woods who successfully freed one of the hives by breaking the cover...causing hundreds of bees to swarm around. Deputy Joslyn was stung in the face and had to retreat.”
Woods, 55, then donned a beekeeper’s suit and began liberating more angry bees, Soto reported. She rolled three more large hives off the trailer and carted them to the entryway of the home, situated on a stately cul-de-sac.
“Officers at this time attempted to stop Woods but were attacked by the bees,” Soto’s report reads.
More chaos ensued and several Sheriff’s Department employees were stung, including three who are allergic to bee stings, according to the narrative. Woods attempted to resist arrest but was eventually taken to the ground and handcuffed by deputies, with a large group of protesters clamoring for her not to be arrested, the report states.
“While Woods was being escorted to the cruiser, (another deputy) advised Woods that he and several officers were allergic to bees,” the narrative says. Woods’ response, according to the report: “Oh, you’re allergic? Good.”
Some officials fled into the 10,000-square-foot home to escape the swarm, the report added.
Woods was arraigned in Springfield District Court that morning on multiple felony charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (the bees) and disorderly conduct. She pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released without having to post bail, court records say.
According to a 2021 op-ed column Woods penned for the Daily Hampshire Gazette, she is a veteran beekeeper who keeps honey bees in Northampton near the community gardens.
Woods could not be reached for comment. A message left with her attorney of record was not immediately returned. In 2018, she was among 21 people whose evictions were appealed by the Massachusetts Alliance of Against Predatory Lending to the state Supreme Judicial Court. At that time, she had been fighting her own case for several years.
A spokesman for Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi said eviction proceedings at the address have been “stop-and-go” for years. A phone message left for King also was not immediately returned. Western Housing Court records show King was served a 72-hour notice to vacate the premises in 2018, but a court battle ensued. When that notice was served, King owed $1.2 million on the property, according to filings in the case.
Cocchi said members of his Civil Process Division routinely serve eviction notices and understand the angst the proceedings can cause.
“We are always prepared for protests when it comes to evictions, but a majority of the groups who protest understand that we are just doing our statutory duty in accordance with state law,” Cocchi said. “And they appreciate how we go above and beyond to help the people being evicted with anything they need from food and temporary shelter, to long-term housing, employment, and mental health and substance use disorder treatment.”
However, Cocchi denounced Woods’ tactics as extreme and potentially life-threatening.
“This woman, who traveled here, put lives in danger as several of the staff on scene are allergic to bees,” Cocchi said. “We had one staff member go the hospital, and, luckily, he was all right or she could be facing manslaughter charges. I support people’s right to protest peacefully, but when you cross the line and put my staff and the public in danger, I promise you will be arrested.”
Prior to the pandemic and a moratorium on evictions – which lifted earlier this year, the Sheriff’s Department served 600 to 800 eviction notices annually, Cocchi said. A spokesman for Cocchi says the department reaches out to those subject to eviction notices ahead of actually serving them, with offers of assistance.
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