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Ex-West Goshen Officer Charged with DUI and Strangulation After Domestic Incident
Michael Meredith, 57, a former West Goshen Township police officer, faces DUI and strangulation charges after authorities say he assaulted a victim and was found intoxicated in a vehicle outside a Saint James Road home. A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 20.
WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP, Pa. â A former West Goshen Township police officer has been charged with driving under the influence and strangulation following a domestic-related incident at a home in Chester County, court records show.
Michael Meredith, 57, was taken into custody after police responded to a 911 call Sunday at a residence in the 300 block of Saint James Road, according to charging documents. Investigators said Meredith, who was identified as a member of the West Goshen Police Department, assaulted the victim during the incident, including placing his hands around the victim's neck.
When officers arrived, they found Meredith inside a vehicle, the documents state. According to an affidavit, officers detected an odor of alcohol during their initial contact with him.
"The defendant was lethargic and did have glassy, bloodshot eyes and was observed to be unsteady on his feet," the affidavit said.
The West Goshen Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Nov. 20.
The charges against Meredith, a former law enforcement officer, raise questions about accountability and the handling of domestic violence allegations involving those sworn to protect the public. Strangulation is a particularly serious offense that experts say is a significant risk factor for future violence, and DUI charges underscore the danger impaired driving poses to the broader community.
Court records do not list an attorney for Meredith. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.