A Montgomery County police officer has been removed from patrol duty after a video surfaced this week of him appearing to knee a restrained suspect in the back of the head.
Officer Kevin Moris has been assigned to “administrative duties” while an investigation into the incident is completed, according to a police statement.
Undercover officers on Wednesday apprehended 19-year-old Arnaldo Pesoa, of Silver Spring, inside a restaurant in the Aspen Hill Shopping Center on Connecticut Avenue, according to the statement.
Police were investigating Pesoa for allegedly selling psilocybin mushrooms, a drug that can cause heightened emotions and hallucinations.
When confronted, Pesoa allegedly acted “in a disorderly manner” and resisted arrest, according to the police statement.
The 45-second video uploaded to Twitter on Wednesday shows a suspect lying face down on a sidewalk surrounded by several members of law enforcement.
The suspect’s hands are behind his back and he appears to be struggling on the ground while a male officer attempts to further secure his hands. Approximately 16 seconds into the video, the officer, identified by police as Moris, delivers a knee to the back of the suspect’s head and neck.
Later, Moris grabs Pesoa by the hair and pulls the suspect’s shirt over his face, which appears to be bloody.
Pesoa was charged with intent to distribute a controlled substance, resisting arrest and assault. He posted a $5,000 bond and was released from custody Thursday.
Police will continue to investigate the incident and the findings will be referred to the county state’s attorney’s office for review. The state’s attorney could charge Moris if he is deemed to have acted inappropriately.
Caitlynn Peetz can be reached at caitlynn.peetz@moco360.media
