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Inkster Police Officer Charged With Misconduct, Assault In Traffic Stop Beating

DETROIT (WWJ) - A recently fired Inkster police officer is facing felony charges after video of a violent arrest went viral.

William Melendez — who is seen on video beating the suspect — is charged with misconduct in office mistreatment of a prisoner, a 5-year felony, and assault with intent to go great bodily harm less than murder, a 10-year felony.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced her decision in the case at a news conference Monday.

"The job of a peace officer can be dangerous," said Worthy, "but we cannot tolerate those who abuse their authority, violate their oath, and prey on citizens rather than protecting them."

Worthy said incidents like this are "toxic."

"The alleged police brutality in this case cannot and will not be tolerated," she said. "It eradicated the confidence that has been carefully built in those communities where good work has been done to establish good police/community relationships."

An investigation was launched into Melendez's conduct after 57-year-old Floyd Dent's arrest during a Jan. 28 traffic stop drew protests. Melendez is white and Dent is black. [VIDEO: Inkster Police Dashcam Violent Arrest Of Floyd Dent]

Police dash-cam video of the incident shows two officers throwing Dent to the ground and Melendez repeatedly punching him in the head.

Police had claimed Dent refused to stop and had cocaine in the car; although Dent claimed police planted the drugs.

Worthy said Monday that she's dropping a drug charge against Dent. A District Court judge earlier dismissed charges of fleeing police and resisting arrest.

"I can tell you that, when we heard the news, Floyd was overcome with emotion, cried, and was obviously relieved," said defense attorney Greg Rohl. "I think I feel the same relief knowing that the system, this time, actually worked."

Side-by-side with his lawyers, Dent said several thank yous.

"I would like to thank Prosecutor Kym Worthy for her courage and conviction in taking on and charging Robocop (a nickname for Melendez)...I would like to thank Detective Sergeant (Tawana) Powell for her complete and thorough investigation of this matter," Dent said. "I would like to thank my legal team that always kept me confident that the legal process would work for me."

Melendez, who'd been suspended during the investigation, was let go from the Inkster Police Department last week. He's declined to discuss any specifics of how he treated Dent, but said "there are always two sides to every story."

In a brief statement, Inkster City Manager said only that he believes Melendez's firing "was in the best interest of (the) community," adding, "We acknowledge Prosecutor Worthy's charging decision and will cooperate with the prosecutor as requested."

Speaking to WWJ's Vickie Thomas shortly before Worthy's announcement, longtime Inkster resident George Williams said he wants to hear more from city leaders about this case.

"I think it starts from the leaders down," said Willams. "We are going to have to really review because it doesn't make sense from a minority community like Inkster that we are sitting here with a bunch of hatred in our community – coming from our police department? It's unnecessary."

"They just now removed one police officer — but what about the rest of them?" Williams said. "...And the city manager and chief of police (say) 'no comment' ... You owe the people some kind of explanation."

The Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality released the following statement regarding the charges:

"The horrific beating of auto worker Floyd Dent by former Inkster police officer William Melendez has drawn the ire and the response of citizens in Southeast Michigan and around the nation. The Coalition joined with the National Action Network, CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) of Michigan, members of Metropolitan UAW locals, and other organizations to protest this matter three weeks ago.

"We have been waiting patiently for the Michigan State Police to finish its investigation, and for Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy to determine her course of action. We have called for justice in this matter, and we feel that today's charges are a step in the right direction to give Mr. Dent, and the entire community, a proper resolution.

"We urge the Inkster Police Department to reassess its hiring practices. Individuals like Mr. Melendez, who now works for the Highland Park Police Department, should not go from municipality to municipality to engage in misconduct and abusive practices."

Also announced at Mondays news conference: Worthy said she would not charge police officers involved in the arrest of a carjacking suspect that was caught on video in Detroit. [More on that story, HERE].

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