A former New Hampshire State Trooper, who was spotted punching a suspect by TV helicopters in May, is expected to plead guilty to assault on Thursday, according to authorities.

New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph A. Foster said it is anticipated Andrew Monaco, 31, will enter guilty pleas to three counts of simple assault in the Nashua District Division of the state’s 9th Circuit Court.

Massachusetts state trooper Joseph Flynn, 32, was also arrested and is facing two charges of simple assault. The AG’s office said Flynn has waived his arraignment, originally scheduled for September 13.

The charges follow the two officers’ involvement in the beating of 50-year-old Richard Simone of Worcester, who led police in a multi-state car chase that ended in Nashua, New Hampshire, on May 11. There, television station helicopters captured Simone, an assault and battery suspect, getting out of the car. The footage appeared to show Simone surrendering to the approaching officers before being repeatedly punched by troopers.


After footage of the arrest and beating was circulated, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office and Massachusetts State Police said they would investigate the the level of force used against Simone.

A New Hampshire state trooper, who was not named at the time, was “relieved of duty” the day after the arrest, while officials investigated the use of force. And a day later, an unnamed Massachusetts state trooper was suspended with pay.

A Worcester District Court judge ordered Simone to be held without bail the following week for violation of probation. He was also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, failure to stop for police, and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.