Ex-Cop from Maine Faces Charges in NH in Allegedly Racial Assault

A Maine man, who was once a member of law enforcement, is now facing charges in New Hampshire after a scuffle in a diner.

The Suspect From Maine Once Served as a Cop in Portsmouth.

Portsmouth Police Officers responded to a diner on Fleet Street for a report of a fight at approximately 10:30 Wednesday night, November 22, 2023. The incident allegedly involved four people, three of whom are related, and one who is an employee of a local bank. New Hampshire State Police are investigating because one of the suspects, Aaron Goodwin, 45, of Eliot, Maine is a former Portsmouth Police Officer.

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The Suspects in the Portsmouth Diner Incident are All Related.

As a result of the investigation, arrest warrants were issued for Aaron Goodwin, his brother Kevin Goodwin of Maryland, and Kevin's wife, Shannon Goodwin, also of Maryland. Aaron and Kevin are charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct, while Shannon Goodwin is charged with 3 counts of simple assault and disorderly conduct. Aaron Goodwin turned himself into authorities while, at last report, arrangements were being made to take the two Maryland residents into custody. Aaron Goodwin was released on personal recognizance bail.

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According to WGME-TV, a local bank executive has identified himself as the victim in this case. Mamadou Dembele has publicly called it a racist attack, which Goodwin denies.  The Maine man allegedly told police that he was just trying to pull Dembele away from his sister-in-law.

Goodwin Was Fired from the Portsmouth Police Over

45-year-old Aaron Goodwin of Eliot, Maine was fired from the Portsmouth Police Department in 2015 after being accused of using his influence to convince an elderly, mentally impaired woman to leave most of her multi-million-dollar estate to him. Seacoast Online reports a probate court judge voided the trust that named Goodwin the primary beneficiary and restored an earlier trust that left the money to her grandson and several charities.

The incident in Portsmouth remains under investigation by the New Hampshire State Police.