Two Sterling Heights police officers are headed to court following a ruling on their involvement in a violently handled arrest captured on bodycam footage; the incident occurred last year when they were attempting to apprehend a suspect accused of domestic violence. The officers, James Sribniak and Jack Currie, have been charged with felonious assault and misconduct in office, as reported by ClickOnDetroit after the February 2024 incident where they pursued Gary Young, who had reportedly fled a traffic stop after assaulting his girlfriend and her daughter.
In a scene captured on bodycams, the officers engaged Young following a dangerous high-speed chase that concluded near Gratiot Avenue and I-94. The footage disclosed by authorities shows an officer striking Young multiple times in the head before a K-9 unit was deployed, Young at this point, having already been tased twice and down on the ground, allegedly kicked an officer prompting the further violent response. These events have subsequently led to the criminal charges against the officers, which could result in significant prison time, according to a statement by the Michigan Department of Attorney General, with the trial date set for October 6.
The charges entail significant penalties, as evidenced by the Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's announcement; Officer Sribniak is facing one count of misconduct in office, a 5-year felony, and one count of felonious assault, a 4-year felony, and Officer Currie is charged with one count of misconduct in office along with one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, which carries a 10-year felony. "We expect police officers to exercise sound and professional judgment, especially when making the serious decision to deploy a K9," Nessel said in a press release.
The case is scheduled to move forward in the 16th Circuit Court in Macomb County. The arrest, which involved a reported blood alcohol level twice the legal limit for Young, is part of ongoing legal proceedings examining the actions taken by law enforcement during the incident. Both officers are facing charges related to their conduct.
