WASHINGTON — A Prince George’s County police officer accused of striking a handcuffed suspect who had allegedly spat in his face has been indicted on a second-degree assault charge.
Officer Levi Vaughn, who has been suspended from the force since November, also faces one count of misconduct in office stemming from the July 2016 incident in which prosecutors say he struck the uncooperative suspect.
“While I understand this officer felt disrespected by the suspect’s actions, even individuals who are in custody have the right to be protected,” said Angela Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney, in a statement.
Vaughn has been with the department since 2007.
Prosecutors said Vaughn and other officers had handcuffed the man and were trying to transport him to the county jail on July 15, 2016, when he spat in Vaughn’s face. The officer retaliated by striking the suspect twice before other officers intervened, prosecutors said.
County police conducted an internal review and brought the case to the state’s attorney’s office for possible criminal charges.
An initial court date for Vaughn has not yet been scheduled.
