The Department of Public Justice Office of Public Affairs noted in a press release that Joseph Arigo, 47, pleaded guilty before a federal court judge in September to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law.
According to court documents filed in connection with his guilty plea, Arigo was sitting at the sergeant’s desk on June 28, when a handcuffed man was brought into the police station.
While the man was yelling, Public Affairs noted in their statement that he was not physically threatening any officers or himself.
It was revealed during court proceedings that Arigo pulled the video camera out of the wall to stop it from recording, walked into the room where the man was being held, shoved his head into the bench and punched him in the head multiple times.
The handcuffed man suffered cuts and bruising, lost consciousness and required seven stitches. After the incident, Arigo lied to his supervisors and in two official reports in an attempt to conceal his actions, the press release stated.
This case was investigated by the Syracuse Resident Agency of the Albany Division of the FBI and was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.
