An unusual tattoo not well hidden proved the undoing of a Westport resident and former corrections officer who was sentenced Tuesday for armed robbery stemming from two Fall River cases.

Joseph Farias, 47, of Westport, was sentenced on Tuesday, November 27, in the Fall River Superior Court for robbing a 7-11 and Rite Aid in Fall River, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

DA Quinn said that, on September 4, 2017, defendant Joseph Farias entered the 7-11 convenience store on North Main Street in Fall River. Once inside he demanded money from the clerk while brandishing a knife. 

The clerk opened the register drawer and the defendant fled with $100 and could not be located.  Exactly a month later, on October 4, 2017, the defendant entered the Rite Aid on South Main Street with a tarp wrapped partially around his neck and back, the DA’s office said.

The defendant indicated to the clerk that he had a gun and kept his hand behind his back. 

“Based on this threat the clerk opened the register and the defendant stole approximately $365 and fled. Surveillance from Rite Aid showed a large tattoo on the suspects neck — “Back Roads." 

Mr. Farias’ parole supervisor from a previous conviction told investigators that he remembered that Mr. Farias had that same tattoo.  The defendant’s ex-wife also identified him as the person who committed the Rite Aid robbery.    

The Commonwealth, represented by Assistant District Attorney Jason Mohan, recommended a four to six and one half-year state prison sentence with probation. The defendant’s attorney recommended a two-year state prison sentence with probation. 

Judge Mark Hallal imposed a state prison sentence of four years with three years of probation to follow.

“This defendant has a history of committing violent robberies,” District Attorney Quinn said. “He needs to be locked up to protect the public”.