A former New Hampshire state trooper accused in the videotaped beating of a man during an arrest in Nashua is scheduled to plead guilty Thursday to assault charges.
Andrew Monaco, 31, is expected to admit to three misdemeanor counts of simple assault stemming from his use of force in the May 11 arrest of Richard Simone Jr., according to a news release from the state attorney general’s office.
New Hampshire state police Col. Robert Quinn said previously that the state trooper involved in the incident in Nashua was relieved from duty without pay but declined to name Monaco. Quinn could not be reached for comment Tuesday about when Monaco’s employment with the law enforcement agency was terminated. The attorney general’s office identified him as a former trooper.
Massachusetts Trooper Joseph Flynn, 32, was also arrested and charged with two counts of simple assault in connection with the incident.
Monaco’s attorney, Eric Wilson, couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday.
Flynn’s attorney, Ronald J. Caron, told the Boston Globe on Wednesday that his client “committed no criminal act.” He added, “There’s no question about that.”
Authorities say Simone refused to stop for police in Holden, Mass., leading them on an hourlong chase with speeds up to 100 mph that ended in Nashua.
Video shows Simone stepping out of his pickup truck, kneeling and placing his hands on the ground as Monaco begins punching Simone on the left side of his head, according to complaints filed against the troopers. Monaco and Flynn then punch Simone repeatedly while he is prone on the ground. Monaco then strikes Simone with his knee multiple times.
Simone later told investigators he was punched, kicked and “kneed” by both troopers and was repeatedly told to “stop resisting” although his arms were behind his back while the attack continued, according to the complaints. Simone told investigators he received three stitches in his ear. Medical records indicate he was diagnosed with possible post-concussive syndrome following the beating.
Simone, who was wanted on multiple warrants, was sent back to jail after being arraigned in Worcester, Mass., on charges including larceny, failure to stop for police and assault with a dangerous weapon.
Monaco’s plea hearing is scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m. in Nashua’s district court.
A pretrial conference in Flynn’s case is slated for Oct. 13.
(Material from the Associated Press was used in this report. Alyssa Dandrea can be reached at 369-3319, adandrea@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @_ADandrea.)