MPD Detective Rodolfo Gomez Jr. charged with misconduct



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Police detective Rodolfo Gomez Jr. has been charged with one count of misconduct in public office after he allegedly used excessive force on a suspect during an interrogation.

Gomez, a 12-year veteran of MPD, is accused of striking a suspect during an August interrogation at the Milwaukee Police Administration Building.

According to the criminal complaint, Gomez was assigned to assist with an investigation into the homicide of an infant. During the investigation process, Gomez initiated an interrogation of a suspect.

During the interrogation, the suspect allegedly began yelling at Gomez. Then, Gomez pushed the suspect into the corner of the interrogation room and punched him in the face and upper body multiple times with a closed fist, according to the complaint.

The complaint indicates Gomez is also accused of striking the suspect with his knee.

According to the complaint, Gomez repeatedly told the suspect to stay down and stop resisting. The complaint indicates the suspect, whose left hand was handcuffed, never struck Gomez.

During the altercation another official intervened and separated Gomez and the suspect, according to the complaint.

Following the altercation, Gomez returned to the interview room with two other deputies in order to transport the suspect to a holding cell. During this encounter, Gomez allegedly grabbed the suspect's face in a forcible manner and delivered another knee strike -- according to the complaint.

Gomez made a court appearance in this case on Thursday, October 31st, during which he posted a $10,000 signature bond in the case.

This latest charge against Gomez comes after no charges were filed against him in another incident, in which Gomez was investigated for domestic violence.

Gomez was well-known for being involved in many high-profile cases -- including investigating the gruesome murder of a pregnant woman by another woman who wanted her unborn child.

In a statement Thursday, MPD says the latest charge against Gomez comes after an internal investigation which began on August 14th -- saying "The Milwaukee Police Department always holds members accountable when violations of the Department's code of conduct are uncovered."

If convicted, Gomez could face up to $10,000 in fines and three years and six months in prison.