Middleboro Man Arrested After Mask Dispute On Commuter Rail

BRAINTREE, MA — A Middleboro man was arrested Wednesday night after police say he assaulted a Keolis Commuter Rail conductor when asked to put a face mask on.

Transit Police officers responded to the Braintree MBTA Commuter Rail Station around 5:20 p.m. after receiving a report of a passenger assaulting a conductor when he asked him to put a mask on.

The conductor told officers he asked Daniel Libby, 40, of Middleboro to put a mask on while onboard the train, a mandate that has not changed its policy in over a year, even as Gov. Baker and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated guidance regarding face coverings for fully vaccinated individuals in May.

According to police, after Libby refused the request, he allegedly shoved the conductor using his shoulder to force his way onto the train.

The crew held up the train until officers could make their way on, insisting Libby get off, but police say he refused to cooperate. He was then placed into custody for assault and battery on a public official.