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DETROIT (FOX 2) - A former police officer learning his punishment Tuesday after being caught on video punching an inmate, slamming him to the ground during a booking.
Matthew Rodriguez was sentenced to a one-year and one-day prison sentence, which is lower than the normal guideline of 18 to 24 months.
The judge said one reason for the lesser sentence is because Rodriguez is no longer a police officer. He doesn’t plan on being one, and he’s started his own trucking business.
Rodriguez didn’t say anything when our FOX 2 cameras caught him outside of federal court.
He also chose not to say anything during his sentencing hearing inside, but his attorney did speak up for him after receiving a one-year, one-day prison sentence.
"No one wants to get a custody sentence, but he took it like a man," said attorney Steve Fishman.
Rodriguez pleaded guilty to charges related to beating up a jail detainee while he was a Warren police officer last June.
The assault was captured on camera and his attorney said it’s been viewed nearly three million times.
Rodriguez lost his job, and later, started his own business.