The former Weymouth, Massachusetts, police officer who was charged with punching a man while he was in custody pleaded guilty to a federal charge on Tuesday, prosecutors announced.
Justin Chappell resigned from the Weymouth Police Department after being notified he was facing termination for the incident, which occurred on July 2, 2022.
Chappell was accused of punching the man about 13 times "without legal justification" during an arrest.
Bodycam footage of the incident was released last year.
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Chappell and other patrolmen responded to a report of an intoxicated man, identified as Donald McAdam, causing a disturbance, according to police reports.
McAdam was allegedly uncooperative, resisted arrest and spit on an officer.
Once at the cruiser, McAdam, who was handcuffed, appears to resist once again before Chappell punches him repeatedly in the face and head.
Chappell pleaded guilty to one federal count of deprivation of rights, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. A sentencing hearing will be held on July 16.
