Posted 11:05 pm Friday, October 05, 2012
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Deputy indicted for hitting teen in head
A veteran Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office deputy was indicted on charges for the striking of a 16-year-old in the head with a police flashlight.
The Van Zandt County District Attorney Chris Martin said a grand jury indicted Michael Crumpler, a six-year department veteran, on an aggravated assault by a public servant charge on Sept. 26.
Crumpler was suspended after video of the December incident captured from a patrol unit was reviewed.
Sheriff Pat Burnett said at the time, “We have always been a transparent sheriff’s office and we live in a transparent world, so if there is something like this that happens then we must deal with it swiftly.”
Burnett said his office immediately placed Crumpler on suspension and contacted Texas Ranger Michael Adcock to investigate.
It was Adcock who obtained an arrest warrant against Crumpler on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon by a public servant, Burnett said.
Adcock said in an earlier story he was called in to investigate the incident and determined there was probable cause to obtain the warrant.
Adcock said Crumpler and another deputy responded to a call earlier this month from the 16-year-old’s mother in reference to a disturbance with the teen.
The Van Zandt County District Attorney Chris Martin said a grand jury indicted Michael Crumpler, a six-year department veteran, on an aggravated assault by a public servant charge on Sept. 26.
Crumpler was suspended after video of the December incident captured from a patrol unit was reviewed.
Sheriff Pat Burnett said at the time, “We have always been a transparent sheriff’s office and we live in a transparent world, so if there is something like this that happens then we must deal with it swiftly.”
Burnett said his office immediately placed Crumpler on suspension and contacted Texas Ranger Michael Adcock to investigate.
It was Adcock who obtained an arrest warrant against Crumpler on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon by a public servant, Burnett said.
Adcock said in an earlier story he was called in to investigate the incident and determined there was probable cause to obtain the warrant.
Adcock said Crumpler and another deputy responded to a call earlier this month from the 16-year-old’s mother in reference to a disturbance with the teen.
The juvenile was complying with most of the directions by the officers but did hesitate on a few. Overall though, he was complying with the directions given to him when Crumpler and the other deputy went to take him into custody, he said.
Adcock said as the two deputies approached, the teen continued following directions.
“He was more-less standing there with his back to the officers when they approached, and Crumpler struck him in the head with his flashlight,” he said.
Adcock said the teen suffered a laceration to the head and required medical attention.
Another deputy reported Crumpler’s actions to the sheriff, and that prompted the review of the video, the Texas Ranger said.
Burnett and Adcock both said law enforcement officers had been to the residence numerous times.
Crumpler was arrested Dec. 21 and released the same day on a $10,000 bond.
Adcock said as the two deputies approached, the teen continued following directions.
“He was more-less standing there with his back to the officers when they approached, and Crumpler struck him in the head with his flashlight,” he said.
Adcock said the teen suffered a laceration to the head and required medical attention.
Another deputy reported Crumpler’s actions to the sheriff, and that prompted the review of the video, the Texas Ranger said.
Burnett and Adcock both said law enforcement officers had been to the residence numerous times.
Crumpler was arrested Dec. 21 and released the same day on a $10,000 bond.
