A former Warren police officer was sentenced Tuesday to one year and one day in prison for using excessive force against an arrestee while fingerprinting and photographing him at a local detention facility.
Matthew Rodriguez, 49, pleaded guilty in March to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law.
According to court documents, on June 13, 2023, then-officer Rodriguez was fingerprinting and photographing an arrestee, J.S., who had recently 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.
In connection with his plea, Rodriguez admitted to writing a report in which he made false statements about the incident and omitted material information in an attempt 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,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “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.”
The FBI Detroit Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Warren Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit.
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