FAIRFAX, Va. — Fairfax County Sheriff's Office (FSCO) released video Tuesday that shows a former sergeant punching a detained suspect four times in the face during an arrest earlier this month.
Sgt. Joshua Silver was arrested for assault and battery as a result of the Sept. 11 incident. According to Fairfax County, Silver was first placed on an administrative and then removed altogether.
"Silver is no longer employed with the Sheriff's Office," Fairfax County Government officials said Tuesday.
The hour-long video released by FCSO shows the inside of the squad car leading up to and including the alleged assault. A man detained in the backseat, with his head covered, handcuffed, curses at arresting officers.
And in the final minute of the video, Silver opens the back door to speak with the man in custody. The suspect responds by cursing at Silver and appears to try and spit on him. Silver responds to the man by reaching into the squad car, grabbing him and punching the man in the face four times.
"Piece of s---," SIlver says after punching the man. "F--ing piss on me again motherf--er, see what happens."
Silver then drags the man out of the car and onto to the pavement, before Silver and another deputy carry the man in custody away by his clothes. The man in custody does not speak for the remaining seconds of the video.
The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) investigated the matter. The video shows man in custody is wearing handcuffs throughout the entire video and his head is covered by a Spit Sock Hood, a disposable see-through hood, which FCPD procedure allows, "to prevent an unruly or threatening prisoner against biting and/or spitting and from causing physical harm to self or others."
The suspect who was attacked by Silver in the video was brought to the Fairfax County Detention Center during the Sept. 11 arrest.
Fairfax County did not immediately give information about the condition of the man in custody or what happened to him after he was punched and dragged away by Silver.
Sheriff Stacey Kincaid released this statement:
The Sheriff’s Office is, and always has been, committed to ensuring the safety of those in our care and custody. Our policies and procedures reflect this. When Sergeant Silver’s actions were discovered, I quickly took action to ensure that Sergeant Silver was relieved of duty. Due to the ongoing investigation, no further comment can be made at this time.