SPRINGFIELD — A Massachusetts State Police sergeant charged with assault after a traffic stop allegedly mistook cosmetics for illicit drugs, forcibly taking the driver to the ground and blasting her with pepper spray.
This, according to an application for a criminal complaint against Sgt. Joel P. Daoust, who was on supervisory patrol in Western Massachusetts on Jan. 3.
Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni on Thursday announced charges against Daoust of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, for the pepper spray, and assault and battery, but declined further comment…