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Officer Matthew Rodriguez punches man.
A former Warren police officer was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to one year and one day in prison for using excessive force while fingerprinting and photographing a man in custody at the department's jail.
The assault was captured on video at the department and later made public.
Matthew Rodriguez, 49, pleaded guilty in March to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law.
Authorities charged that on June 13, 2023, Rodriguez was fingerprinting and photographing a suspect, J.S., who had been brought to the Warren Police Department’s jail for processing.
During fingerprinting, Rodriguez and J.S. got into a verbal argument and began trading insults. In retaliation for one of J.S.’ remarks, Rodriguez struck J.S. multiple times and slammed J.S.’ head against the fingerprint room floor, authorities said.
As part of his plea, Rodriguez admitted writing a false report to cover up his crime.
“This defendant swore to protect and serve his community, but instead he abused his power by violently assaulting an arrestee,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said in a statement. “This sentence should serve as a reminder to all law enforcement that a badge is not a license to answer verbal insults with physical violence and excessive force."
