A woman once accused of setting swarms of bees on law enforcement officers during an eviction protest has been arrested after skipping her court appearance.

As reported by The Washington Times, Rorie Woods, who allegedly used beehives as weapons against sheriff's deputies during a 2022 eviction in Massachusetts, was arrested in Tennessee after failing to appear for her scheduled trial. Woods had been set to represent herself in court on multiple assault charges stemming from the unusual attack.

The arrest took place Thursday at a Tennessee hotel after Springfield District Court in Massachusetts issued a warrant when Woods didn't show up for her Tuesday trial date. The trial had already experienced several delays before this latest development.

Massachusetts Bee Attack Led To Multiple Charges

Woods faces serious legal consequences for her alleged actions during the October 2022 incident in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. According to the Hampden County Sheriff's Office, she's charged with four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and one count of disorderly conduct.

Authorities say Woods wasn't even a resident of the home being evicted. Instead, she arrived at the scene where others were protesting the eviction and deliberately agitated beehives to trigger an attack on law enforcement personnel.

The sheriff's office reported that Woods deliberately smashed open a manufactured beehive tower, causing the insects to become aggressive. Before deputies could respond effectively, she allegedly flipped the tower off her vehicle, further enraging the bees.

Deputies Suffered Multiple Stings During Incident

The consequences of the alleged bee attack were immediate and dangerous for the law enforcement officers present. According to officials, responding deputies were swarmed by angry bees, resulting in multiple painful stings.

One Hampden County deputy was stung before Woods allegedly flipped the hive tower. After that action, the situation escalated dramatically as more bees emerged and attacked those present at the scene. The incident became potentially life-threatening when one sheriff's office employee with a bee allergy required hospitalization after being stung. Several other employees also suffered multiple stings during the chaotic scene.

Extradition Process Currently Underway

Woods is now facing the legal consequences of both her alleged bee attack and her decision to skip her court appearance. Authorities are working to return her to Massachusetts to face justice.

The Hampden County Sheriff's Office confirmed that following her arrest in Tennessee, the extradition process has begun. This legal procedure will determine when Woods will be transported back to Massachusetts to face her pending charges. After the original 2022 incident, a judge had released Woods without requiring bail. This decision allowed her to remain free while awaiting trial, a freedom she apparently used to travel to Tennessee rather than appear in court.

Defendant Claims Case Involves Broader Issues

Woods has previously attempted to frame her actions as a protest against predatory lending practices rather than simply an attack on law enforcement. In a 2022 statement to New York magazine, she offered her perspective on the situation.

"This is not about a few sheriffs getting a few honeybee stings. It's about predatory lending, which is thriving in Massachusetts and beyond," Woods told the publication. This suggests she may have viewed her actions as a form of protest against financial institutions and eviction practices.

Woods has chosen to represent herself in the legal proceedings, a decision that adds another layer of complexity to an already unusual case. With her arrest in Tennessee, the case will now proceed once she is returned to Massachusetts to face the charges against her.

Why This Story Matters

This case offers a rare and unsettling glimpse into how civil protest can escalate into criminal conduct. It also highlights the unusual dangers law enforcement may face during routine duties. As housing disputes and foreclosure protests grow nationwide, this story serves as both a cautionary tale and a point of civic discussion.

Conclusion

In October 2022, Rorie Woods was accused of intentionally setting bees upon law enforcement officials during an eviction in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Several officers were stung, one was hospitalized, and Woods was charged with multiple assault-related offenses. After representing herself and being released on bail, Woods failed to appear in court, leading to a warrant. She was found and arrested this month in Tennessee, and now awaits extradition back to Massachusetts. Her case continues to draw attention due to its unusual circumstances and the broader issues she says motivated her actions.