MPD detective charged with misconduct bound over for trial

MILWAUKEE (WITI) — A Milwaukee County judge found probable cause on Tuesday, November 12th to bind Rodolfo Gomez Jr. over for trial.

Gomez is a Milwaukee Police detective  facing one count of misconduct in public office for allegedly using excessive force on a suspect during an interrogation in August.

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.

If convicted, Gomez could face up to $10,000 in fines and three years and six months in prison. He is due back in court on December 5th to enter a plea to his misconduct charge.