PARIS — A Paris man accused of running down an off-duty police officer with his vehicle Tuesday, then punching him in the face was free on bail Wednesday.
Michael Carleton Submitted photo
Michael Carleton, 29, of Paris was charged with aggravated assault, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.
He also was charged with reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
Carleton posted $5,000 cash bail.
In an affidavit supporting Carleton’s arrest, Maine State Police Trooper Thomas Lauzon wrote that Carleton told him he pulled into the driveway at 403 Crocket Ridge Road in Norway on Tuesday evening. Carleton said he noticed Oxford Police Department Reserve Officer Joe Correia, 31, of Norway standing at the rear of his vehicle, according to Lauzon. Carleton told Lauzon he intentionally struck Correia with his vehicle before getting out of his vehicle and punching Correia in the face.
Afterward, Carleton head-butted Correia in the face, breaking his nose, Lauzon wrote.
Lauzon said Correia was found by police sitting in his vehicle with “severe injuries.”
Oxford Police Chief Rickie Jack said Correia was transferred from Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway to Maine Medical Center in Portland.
State police spokeswoman Shannon Moss said Correia was “having surgery for non-life-threatening injuries.”
State police are handling the investigation. Norway police Chief Jeff Campbell said Norway police briefly responded to the incident before the state police took over the investigation.
Moss said the investigation is ongoing.
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