MERCED, California – Former Merced County Sheriff’s Sergeant Dustin Witt faces charges of assault and excessive use of force, local prosecutors said.
The Merced County District Attorney’s office said Witt was booked for allegedly beating a detainee on March 11, causing serious injuries.
According to the investigation by the County Sheriff’s Office, Witt arrived at the scene of an accident to assist his coworkers. The collision had been caused by a DUI (driving under the influence) driver, Louis Jackson, who ended up being kicked in the head by the police officer.
The 42-year-old defendant resigned from the Sheriff’s Office when the internal investigation against him for abuse of police force began.
“We are all equal before the law, and that principle rests with those who enforce the law,” Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira said in a news release. She also thanked “the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, which” brought this serious matter to light ”.
Just a few days ago, this same Prosecutor’s Office charged the officer of the Merced Police Department, Jacob Paynter with assault and kidnapping.
