Two state troopers – one from New Hampshire and another from Massachusetts – have been charged in connection with the beating of a man during an arrest in Nashua in May.
New Hampshire Trooper Andrew Monaco, 31, and Massachusetts Trooper Joseph Flynn, 32, were arrested for their role in the May 11 arrest of Richard Simone Jr., according to a statement from the state attorney general’s office.
The charges stem from their use of force following a 50-mile car chase through Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Authorities say Simone, who was wanted on multiple warrants, refused to stop for police in Holden, Mass., resulting in the pursuit that ended in Nashua.
Video captured by a news helicopter shows Simone appearing to surrender and officers then punching him repeatedly.
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.
Because Monaco and Flynn were on-duty law enforcement officers at the time of the incident, each charge is subject to an enhanced penalty of up to five years, the attorney general said.
Monaco faces three counts of simple assault and was released on $3,000 personal recognizance. Flynn is charged with two counts of simple assault and was released on $2,000 personal recognizance.
Both are scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 13 in Nashua’s District court.
Until Tuesday, authorities declined to name the officers accused of beating Simone during the incident in Nashua, citing an ongoing investigation. When investigations are pending, the attorney general’s practice of withholding names of officers involved in non-fatal and fatal incidents is common.
For example, the attorney general has yet to name the police officer who shot Lane Lesko, 19, of Ann Arbor, Mich., on Route 136 in Peterborough on June 21. Senior Assistant Attorney General Jeff Strelzin said Monday the investigation is complete, but the full report on the incident is still pending. Because of that, he declined to name the officer in published reports.