Derby Line man facing charges after police say he punched trooper

DERBY LINE — A 60-year-old man from Derby Line is facing charges after police say he punched a State trooper in the head.

Paul Scalzo faces aggravated domestic assault, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and resisting arrest charges following the incident, which took place on Monday.

At around 5:45 p.m. police responded to a report of an assault at a residence in Derby Line.

The complainant advised two children were assaulted by Scalzo and that he was highly intoxicated.

Trooper Daniel Lynch responded to the residence and met with the complainant at the door.

Lynch says the complainant advised he was still inside the residence with the children present, his mood escalating, and there were firearms in Scalzo’s presence.

Trooper Lynch says he entered the residence and encountered Scalzo, and while informing him he was under arrest, Scalzo refused to comply.

According to the report, trooper Lynch began to take Scalzo into custody when he resisted arrest and subsequently punched Trooper Lynch in the head as well as grabbed him by the throat.

Trooper Lynch overcame Scalzo and successfully took him into custody.

Police say their investigation revealed Scalzo had assaulted two children by grabbing them around the throat and chest areas causing them significant pain.

Scalzo was treated at North Country Hospital for his injuries and lodged at Northern State Correctional Facility on lack of $1,500.00 cash or surety bond.

Trooper Lynch was also treated at North Country Hospital for minor injuries.

The children were seen by Derby Line Ambulance Services at the scene.