Mass., NH State Troopers Charged With Assault In Violent Arrest Of Driver
CONCORD, New Hampshire (CBS) -- Charges are being brought against two law enforcement officers involved in a violent arrest that was caught on video in May, the New Hampshire Attorney General announced Tuesday afternoon.
Massachusetts State Police Trooper Joseph Flynn, 32, and New Hampshire State Police Trooper Andrew Monaco, 31, were both arrested and charged with simple assault in connection with their arrest of Richard Simone, Jr. on May 11.
Trooper Flynn faces two counts, while Trooper Monaco faces three.
Simone, 50, of Worcester was arrested after leading police on a one-hour chase from Holden, Massachusetts to Nashua, New Hampshire. When Simone got out of his pickup truck, he appeared to kneel and put his hands on the ground when at least two officers began punching him.
Troopers Flynn and Monaco were relieved from duty the day after the arrest. Trooper Flynn was suspended without pay pending an investigation; the Massachusetts State Police said Tuesday that Trooper Flynn's suspension was still ongoing.
Watch Raw Video Of The Arrest
At the time of Simone's arrest, WBZ-TV Security Analyst and former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said it warranted further investigation.
"It does appear that he's complying with the officers' orders. Until they start to move very close to him, there doesn't appear to be a problem," Davis said. "What happened in those last seconds is going to be crucial to this investigation. But clearly, this is a tough video."
Troopers Flynn and Monaco were released on $2,000 and $3,000 bail, respectively.
The New Hampshire AG's office said that, since the two were both on duty as law enforcement officers when the alleged assault against Simone was committed, their charges are subject to enhanced penalties.
Both troopers are scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 13 in Nashua District Court.