‘Abused His Power’: Former Michigan Cop Caught on Camera Brutally Attacking Teen During Jail Booking, Tries to Cover It Up—Now He’s Headed to Prison

A former Michigan police officer has been sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for using excessive force while booking a 19-year-old suspect at a detention facility in Warren last year.Matthew Rodriguez, 49, pleaded guilty in March to one felony count of deprivation of rights under color of law in connection with the vicious assault on June 13, 2023, which was caught on jail surveillance footage.At the time of the incident, Officer Rodriguez was tasked with fingerprinting and photographing Jaquwan Smith, a teen with multiple felony charges who had just arrived at the Warren Police Department jail for processing, according to court records. During the intake, Rodriguez and Smith began arguing and exchanging insults.Following one of Smith’s remarks, Rodriguez became enraged and struck Smith repeatedly before slamming the teen’s head against the floor.Rodriguez had gotten up from his desk to grab paperwork off of the printer as the two men jawed at each other when he suddenly punched Smith in the face. He then picked the teen up and slammed him to the ground.Video of the attack showed Rodriguez grabbing Smith by his locs and slamming him to the floor before two fellow officers rushed in to...