UPDATE: Officer Charged in Arrest Caught on Cell Phone Video
The police officer in a viral video that raised questions on police use of force faces a second-degree assault charge, Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said.
Officer Kevin Moris faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison from the assault charge, which is a misdemeanor. McCarthy said Moris also was charged with misconduct in office. That is a common law charge and the maximum penalty is subject to the cruel-and-unusual punishment provision of the U.S. Constitution, McCarthy said.
McCarthy and Acting Chief Marcus Jones briefed reporters on the charges at a courthouse news conference Tuesday. Here’s our story from the news conference:
Other details:
- Moris is on administrative leave from his position as an undercover officer working out of the 4th District police station in Wheaton.
- Police will not release a mug shot of Moris. Jones said he works undercover and the photo could put his life in danger.
- Police also will not release any of the body camera footage because those images will be part of the criminal case against Moris.
- A criminal summons has been issued for Moris’ arrest.
- Online court records say he will have a preliminary hearing on Aug. 2 before Judge Robert A. Greenberg, the administrative judge for Montgomery County Circuit Court.
Original Post: A police officer faces charges after cell phone video showed him slamming his knee against a man already handcuffed and lying on a concrete sidewalk.
Police Officer III Kevin Moris faces a count of second-degree assault and a count of misconduct in office, Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said Tuesday at a courthouse news conference.
The assault charge is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail, according to state records. Misconduct in office is a common law offense; the maximum penalty would be subject to the cruel and unusual provisions of the Constitution.
Moris is on administrative leave from his position as an undercover officer working out of the 4th District police station in Wheaton.
A criminal summons has been issued for Moris’ arrest. Online court records say he will have a preliminary hearing on Aug. 2 before Judge Robert A. Greenberg, the administrative judge for Montgomery County Circuit Court.
Moris was taking part in the arrest of Arnaldo Pesoa, a Silver Spring man who has been charged with selling psychedelic mushrooms. The arrest took place July 3 at a McDonald’s in Aspen Hill.
Since when does a misdemeanor have a penalty of 10 years? Felony yes. But misdemeanors 1 year or less.