Overview
- Sergeant Joel Daoust faces misdemeanor assault and battery and felony assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, filed Tuesday in Springfield District Court.
- Daoust is not in custody, and his arraignment is set for April 3, according to court records.
- Prosecutors say the stop began over speeding and lane violations and involved physical force and the deployment of pepper spray on the driver.
- Authorities have withheld the motorist’s identity and any details about injuries, citing the ongoing review.
- State Police said they referred the matter to the district attorney, pledged full cooperation, relieved Daoust of duty with suspension without pay, and noted prior discipline in 2015 and 2017; no attorney was listed for him and his union did not return a request for comment.