MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Montgomery County police officer Kevin Moris was found guilty of assault Thursday, stemming from an arrest he made on July 3. Montgomery County State’s Attorney spokesman Ramon Korionoff confirmed that Moris was convicted of second-degree assault, but found not guilty of misconduct in office.
He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison on the assault conviction, and his sentencing date is Feb. 7, 2020.
On July 9, Maryland prosecutors filed a second-degree assault charge against Moris. The officer was accused of kneeing 19-year-old Arnaldo Pesoa outside a McDonalds in Aspen Hill during a videotaped arrest. Moris' police powers were suspended and he was placed on administrative duties during the investigation.
The arrest occurred after officers were conducting an undercover investigation into someone selling psilocybin mushrooms in the Aspen Hill area.
His arrest sparked social media outrage and a police review of use of force after bystanders posted video of the incident, which captured an apparently-handcuffed man being smashed to a concrete walkway by a Montgomery County police officer.
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Witness videos posted to social media appear to show officers struggling to get Pesoa into handcuffs as they hold him on the floor inside the McDonalds.
A later video shows Pesoa being held by a plain-clothed officer face down on a concrete walkway outside the restaurant as the suspect shouts protests and obscenities. Pesoa appears to be in handcuffs.
The officer holding him orders Pesoa to "be cool" and "lay on your stomach and don't move," as Pesoa continues to shout.
The officer holding Pesoa uses his knee and body weight to push Pesoas neck and head into the concrete.
The officer then uses Pesoa's shirt to cover the suspect's face. At least four other officers appear to be present during the incident.
Pesoa was transported to the Central Processing Unit where he was charged with one count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, one count of attempt distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, one count of resisting arrest, and one count of second-degree assault. Pesoa was released after posting a $5,000 bond.
Authorities said Pesoa received medical treatment after the incident.
