SANFORD, Fla. (AP) _ A Florida sheriff’s deputy who was caught on a patrol car camera punching a handcuffed suspect in the face has been charged with misdemeanor battery.
Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger said Wednesday that Deputy Michael O’Connor’s behavior violated the law and department policy.
O’Connor was suspended after an internal investigation was launched and he resigned from the force last week.
An investigative report says O’Connor responded as back up to a domestic battery call last January.
The report says the male suspect was in the back seat of a squad car, kicking the door and repeatedly cursing.
The report says O’Connor opened the door to the car, grabbed the suspect’s shirt and punched him in the face.
A prosecutor found video of the incident while working on the case.
