Officer Accused Of Punching Teen Settles Misconduct Charge

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (AP) -- A Prince George's County Police officer has settled a misconduct in office charge after surveillance video showed him punching a 15-year-old boy in custody.

Twenty-seven-year-old Jerry Thomas entered an Alford plea Thursday, a day after his trial began. The plea means Thomas does not admit guilt, but he acknowledges the state has enough evidence to convict.

Surveillance video from 2012 played during the trial shows Thomas punching the handcuffed teen twice in the head, then shoving his face down on a bench. Thomas' attorney said his client was trying to stop the teen spitting on him when he hit him.

Prosecutors plan to seek jail time at sentencing in June.

Thomas was suspended with pay pending an internal review. Police Chief Mark Magaw says termination is "absolutely on the table."

Maryland