A Baltimore City judge has convicted a Baltimore Police Department officer of second degree assault and misconduct in office.
The Office of the Baltimore City State's Attorney said on April 27, 2020, Officer Maxwell Dundore was on duty when he responded to the 2800 block of Mayfield Avenue with another BPD officer to a report of a stolen vehicle.
When Officer Dundore arrived to the scene, Bobby Adams, a 17-year-old at the time, was exiting the driver's door of the reported stolen vehicle, the city state's attorney's office said.
Adams tried to flee on foot, the office said, but Officer Dundore grabbed him at the back of the vehicle and they both fell to the ground.
The office said, "Adams got to his feet, and Officer Dundore then grabbed Adams around the waist, lifted him off the ground, and slammed him face-down onto the concrete. Officer Dundore landed on top of Adams' back."
After slamming Adams face downing onto the concrete, the office said Officer Dundore wrapped his legs around Adams and wrapped his arm around his neck.
When Adams tried to free himself, Officer Dundore increased the force of his hold and said, "I swear to God, I'll choke you out if you don't stop," as the other other officer tried to secure Adams' legs, the office said.
The office said Adams started to kick toward the other officer to try and break free, but Officer Dundore held Adams under his chin near his throat, pulling his head backwards with both hands.
Officer Dundore said, "I will choke you. I will kill you," before releasing his hands from Adams' neck.
Other officers who arrived during that time handcuffed Adams while he was laying on the ground, the office said. Although Adams no longer presented any threated because he was handcuffed, Officer Dundore pushed Adams on the right side of his face.
The office said Officer Dundore, "faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison for Second Degree Assault. There is no maximum sentence for Misconduct in Office. It is a common law crime that carries no sentencing limit except that it cannot be cruel and unusual. Sentencing is scheduled for June 12, 2023. Assistant State's Attorney Ernest M. Reitz prosecuted this case."