Prince George's Cop Faces Up To 10 Years In Prison After He's Found Guilty On 3 Charges

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Sgt. Bryan Strong with the Prince George's County Police Department has been found guilty of second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office for assaulting a citizen who was handcuffed with his hands behind his back. Strong faces up to 10 years in prison.

According to court documents, on Oct. 17, 2019, a Prince George’s County police officer stopped a blue four-door Volkswagen on Brierfield and Wheeler Roads in Oxon Hill for having expired tags. The officer spoke with the driver, Demonte Ward-Blake, 24, of District Heights and at some point during their conversation, the officer took his weapon out of his holster. Ward-Blake became verbally agitated at that time, according to court documents, but continued to cooperate and comply with the officer’s orders.

After additional officers responded to the scene for backup, Ward-Blake was placed under arrest. Strong stood Ward-Blake up near the passenger side of the police cruiser to conduct a search of Ward-Blake’s body. During the search, Ward-Blake turned his body towards Strong, at which time Strong pushed Ward-Blake against the cruiser to continue the search and then took Ward-Blake to the ground. As a result, Ward-Blake sustained serious injuries that left him paralyzed from the chest down, according to court documents.

“I am pleased that this case has been successfully resolved. As state’s attorney, my job is to hold defendants fully accountable for their crimes, including police officers who are charged with protecting the public and enforcing the law," State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy said. "This defendant abused his position, violated the rights of a citizen he was sworn to protect and caused him to sustain severe life altering injuries for the remainder of his life. He will now he will have to face the consequences for his actions.”

Sentencing for Strong has been set for July 21.