A Chelsea woman who says she was the victim of excessive force and unlawful arrest has filed suit against a Maine State Police trooper. This the second excessive force lawsuit filed against Maine State Police in the past month.

In U.S. District Court filings, attorneys for Marie Searles said she was walking near Trooper Hunter Belanger's cruiser in Chelsea in March of 2024. He asked to speak to her and when she did not respond, Belanger allegedly grabbed her, slammed her to the ground and pinned her down with his knee on her neck.

Searles was arrested for refusing to submit to arrest or detention. The charge was later dismissed by the Kennebec County District Attorney's Office.

Maine State Police Lieutenant Aaron Turcotte is also named in the federal lawsuit for allegedly failing to sup

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