Shocking Incident: Former Warren Officer’s Assault on Teenager Sparks Community Outrage
Video Evidence Reveals Excessive Force: Rodriguez’s Assault on Jaquwan Smith Exposed
Former Warren police officer Matthew Rodriguez pleaded guilty to assaulting 19-year-old Jaquwan Smith during his booking on June 13, 2023, an incident that shocked the community when footage of the assault surfaced. The video, released by the Warren Police Department shortly after the incident, captured Rodriguez punching Smith, shoving him against a wall, slamming him to the ground, and striking him again after fingerprinting and photographing him. Smith sustained injuries as a result of the brutal beating, prompting an investigation into Rodriguez’s conduct. Rodriguez entered a guilty plea, admitting to one count of deprivation of rights under cover of law and that he had used excessive force against Smith, which was against departmental policy. To make his actions even more serious, he also admitted to making a fraudulent report in an effort to obstruct the inquiry. Rodriguez worked as an officer for 14 years, but on June 26, 2023, the Warren Police Department fired him after an internal investigation confirmed his excessive use of force.
Former Warren Officer’s Guilty Plea – Assault Scandal Shocks Community!(PHOTO: WPD)
Guilty Plea: Former Officer Admits to Violating Rights and Filing False Report
Law enforcement officials must be held accountable when they violate people’s civil and constitutional rights, according to Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Rodriguez could spend up to ten years in federal prison at his sentencing, which is set on August 20. The way this case turned out emphasizes how important it is to protect the rule of law and preserve confidence between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
