45°
Former Prince George’s County Police Cpl. Darryl Wormuth, 45, was sentenced by a judge to five years with all but 45 days suspended after he was convicted in early May of second-degree assault and misconduct in office for an incident nearly three years ago.
On Oct. 20, 2020, Wormuth grabbed then 17-year-old Kayvon Hines around his neck and struck him while he was in handcuffs, though prosecutors say that the teen was “compliant and being escorted by another officer who had taken him into custody.”
“I can tell you on the night of this incident, our victim was doing nothing wrong,” Braveboy said after the sentencing. “he was enjoying time with his friends playing a little ball, like so many of our young people do when Cpl. Wormuth singled him out.”
Hines also took the opportunity to speak out after the former officer was sentenced.
“I’d just like to say that I’m glad to speak up (about) all the things that (the) police (are) doing under the sun and finally bringing the dark to light,” he said. “(I’m) glad I can speak up about it for other people that have been through it and (to show) there’s justice out here.”
The entire incident was captured by a police helicopter.
“This case is about unnecessary force used against an innocent and compliant victim,” Braveboy continued. “The bottom line is that Wormuth has been held accountable for his actions today.”
Things got worse for Wormuth at his sentencing hearing, when prosecutors presented what have been described by the state's attorney's office as “racist text messages” that he sent to several chat groups and community members as examples of his character.
“It is truly worrisome when an officer, who takes an oath to protect and serve the community, commits a crime like this,” Braveboy said. “At the same time, I applaud the brave officers who understood that (his) actions were criminal.
“They came forward to report his actions and subsequently testified against him.”
Wormuth has been with the Prince George’s County Police Department since 2007 and was suspended pending the outcome of his trial.
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