HOUSTON
A former Metro police officer was indicted Wednesday by a Harris County Grand Jury. Jarius Warren is charged with assault for the attack of a homeless man at a train station, and the incident was captured on video.
The case was investigated by the Civil Rights Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
On Sept. 14, Warren and another Metro police officer arrested a man who was sleeping at the Burnett Train Station. Based upon officers’ initial statement to a prosecutor, Darrell Giles was charged with criminal trespass and resisting arrest. But after further investigation, those charges were dismissed. The indictmen alleges that Warren struck Giles with a baton, causing bodily injury.
“The video is very disturbing,” said Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson. “When we have compelling evidence such as this, we immediately initiate an investigation. The case was presented to a diverse grand jury and we wholeheartedly support their decision. This officer used excessive force and should not be wearing a badge.”
The other Metro Police Officer involved in the incident was no-billed by the same grand jury.
If convicted, Warren could face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000. Warren resigned from the Metro Police Department Monday while under an internal affairs investigation.