Ex-Police Officer Sentenced for Assaulting Detainee in Warren Jail

Matthew Rodriguez receives a year and a day in prison for using excessive force on a detainee, with prior incidents influencing the sentence.

Matthew Rodriguez, a former Warren police officer, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for a civil rights violation.
Rodriguez used excessive force on a detainee, Jaquwan Smith, during a booking process in June 2023, punching and slamming his head against the floor.
The incident was caught on video, which has been viewed nearly 3 million times, sparking public outrage.
Rodriguez's prior incidents of excessive force were considered during sentencing, including assaults in 2012 and 2017.
In addition to prison time, Rodriguez will serve three years of supervised release and undergo mental health treatment for anger management.