SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- A Massachusetts State Police sergeant is facing criminal charges after a routine traffic stop reportedly escalated to a physical takedown and pepper spray deployment in less than two minutes.

Sergeant Joel Daoust appeared in Springfield District Court Friday and pleaded not guilty to assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

The charges stem from a January 3 traffic stop on East Columbus Avenue. Daoust pulled over a female driver for speeding and drifting between lanes at 11:08 p.m. Two minutes later, Daoust allegedly told the driver he thought he saw drug paraphernalia in her purse. He ordered her out of the car and she complied.

Court documents say the driver was shocked, frightened, cried, and asked, “Why are you doing this?” when Daoust used an arm-bar takedown to throw her to the pavement. With her on the ground and other officers just arriving on-scene, Daoust sprayed the driver in the face with OC spray.

Daoust reportedly searched the car and no drugs or weapons were found. In his own report, he admitted the item in her purse was just a piece of makeup. The driver was never arrested and rather, she was handed a written warning for a lane violation and let go.

State Police investigators said Daoust used force that was “unlawful” and “disproportionate” for a simple traffic stop and never attempted to de-escalate the situation.

Daoust is due back in court May 29. State Police have suspended him without pay. The Massachusetts POST Commission has suspended his officer certification, meaning he cannot legally work as a police officer in the state.

Copyright 2026 Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.