Four law enforcement officers were charged after a Michigan State Police trooper used excessive force against a resident and other law enforcement present at the scene failed to act, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Wednesday.
Michigan State Police Troopers Bram Lester Schroeder and Zachary Tebedo, and Saginaw Police Officers Jordan Engelhart and Dominic Vasquez were arraigned in the 70th District Court in Saginaw.
Schroeder allegedly used excessive force to make an arrest while on patrol in the City of Saginaw on March 28, with Tebedo. Schroeder and Tebedo stopped Vance Martin for failure to signal and speeding. Martin appeared to be intoxicated and was uncooperative upon troopers trying to arrest him for suspected drunk driving.
The Department of Attorney General alleges that Schroeder assaulted Martin while the man was handcuffed, knocking him unconscious. Emergency Medical Service (EMS) was called to evaluate Martin and then left the scene. Schroeder again assaulted Martin while attempting to secure him in the back of an MSP vehicle. Martin was taken to the Saginaw Police Department and then to a local hospital.
Engelhart and Vasquez were also present on the scene after responding to provide secondary support.
“Law enforcement officers are duty-bound to uphold the law, not violate it,” said Nessel. “It is incumbent upon those who wear a badge to ensure trust in public service and act when they witness a fellow officer committing a crime.”
Trooper Schroeder is charged with:
• One count of misconduct in office in violation of MCL 750.505, a five-year felony.
• One count of aggravated assault, in violation of MCL 750.81A, a one-year misdemeanor.
Tebedo, Engelhart, and Vasquez are each charged with one count of willful neglect of duty in violation of MCL 750.478, a one-year misdemeanor, for their failure to intervene to stop the assault on Martin.
The Department will not be releasing additional materials or evidence as this is an active case.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/subscriptions
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
