DOVER — A grand jury has indicted two Farmington police officers in connection with an assault on a man in handcuffs last summer.



Sgt. Michael McNeil, Jr., 34, of Rochester, was indicted on a single simple assault charge for allegedly grabbing Randy Gray by the neck with his left hand and exerting enough force to pull Gray's body from a standing position, according to the indictment.



Gray told Foster's last week he was handcuffed at the time. “I was complying with everything they told me to do and not resisting in any way. There was no need for it,” Gray said.



In addition, Officer Gregory Gough, 24, of Dover, was also indicted on a simple assault charge in connection with the incident, alleging he grabbed Gray's arms and torso and spun his body during the alleged assault.



Both men are facing misdemeanor charges, which could result in up to one year in jail for each of them.



Police Chief Kevin Willey said both officers have been placed on paid administrative leave.

The incident occurred last June after McNeil, who was off duty at the time, pulled Gray over after witnessing a road rage incident, which he believed Gray was involved in.



McNeil asked Gray if he had been drinking after allegedly smelling alcohol on his breath. According to the affidavit, that is when Gray drove off at a high rate of speed, striking McNeil in his left arm and leg with his driver's side door. McNeil was not seriously injured, Farmington police said after the incident.



Gray told Foster's he fled the scene after he asked McNeil to show identification and he refused.



Gray is still being prosecuted in connection with the incident and is scheduled for trial and jury selection the week of May 5.



According to Gray, about 20 minutes later McNeil, Gough, and two Milton officers arrived at his home after tracking him down through his car license plate. He said as Milton officers handcuffed him, McNeil came toward him yelling at him.



Gray said the pair yelled back and forth before McNeil got in his face. Gray claims McNeil allegedly grabbed him by the neck trying to force him to the ground. He said Gough stepped in to help.

Gray said Milton officers tried to the stop the incident, which he said only concluded when McNeil fell to the ground. Gray was escorted to the back of a cruiser by Milton officers.



He said there is video footage of the event, but it is not currently available.



The case against McNeil and Gough was reviewed by Assistant Grafton County Attorney Jack Bell after Strafford County Attorney Tom Velardi determined it was best to have an outside attorney review the allegations. Velardi said the switch was necessary since McNeil is an active police officer and a witness in several cases, including the one against Gray.



In a statement to the media this morning, Willey wrote, that after learning of the allegations last summer, an internal investigation was immediately launched and the appropriate action was taken. He said during the lengthy criminal investigation, the department reviewed the information and determined that McNeil and Gough should be allowed to remain on duty pending the outcome of the investigation.

They were placed on paid administrative leave today after the grand jury decided to move forward with criminal charges.



Willey wrote, “The Farmington Police Department is strongly committed to providing the most professional service to the community. Because of the nature of our work, officers are held to a high standard of conduct and we do our best to uphold those standards. If officers violate those standards in any way, they will be, and expect to be, held accountable.



“At this time, the charges are just allegations and the officers involved are presumed innocent. We ask that members of public reserve judgment until all facts are known.”



McNeil and Gough are scheduled for arraignment on the charges on March 6 at 9 a.m. in the Strafford County Superior Court.



An indictment is not an indication of guilt; rather, it means a jury found sufficient evidence to warrant a trial.