FARMINGTON — A local man pleaded not guilty Friday in connection with the beating of a man with a metal flashlight Jan. 8.

Justin M. Crowley-Smilek, 27, of Farmington pleaded not guilty in Franklin County Superior Court to aggravated assault. He was indicted by a Franklin County grand jury on the charge on May 12.

A conviction on the charge carries up to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Crowley-Smilek is accused of beating a 23-year-old Franklin County man with a “SureFire” flashlight after the man refused to give him a ride.

The victim told Farmington police he had too much to drink and was sleeping in his car parked in the Front Street Tavern parking lot, when he realized two men had gotten in and asked for a ride, police Chief Jack Peck said previously.

The victim asked the men to get and was attempting to call 911, when Crowley-Smilek opened the door and started beating the victim over the head and face, Peck said.

The victim’s face and head were covered with blood and he had facial injuries, Peck had said.

Crowley-Smilek’s next appearance in court is scheduled for Oct. 4.

dperry@sunjournal.com