HOUSTON – Former METRO police officer Jarius Warren was charged Wednesday with assault, the Harris County District Attorney's Office said.
The charges come two weeks after Warren and another METRO officer arrested a man who was sleeping at the Burnett train station.
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Darren Giles was initially charged with criminal trespass and resisting arrest, but after an investigation, the charges were dismissed.
A video of Giles' arrest was released earlier this week by the METRO Police Department.
Wednesday's indictment claims that Warren struck Giles with a baton, injuring him.
“The video is very disturbing,” said Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson. “When we have compelling evidence such as this, we immediately initiate an investigation. The case was presented to a diverse grand jury and we wholeheartedly support their decision. This officer used excessive force and should not be wearing a badge.”
The grand jury declined to indict the other METRO officer involved in the incident.
If convicted, Warren could face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000. Warren resigned from the Metro Police Department Monday during an internal affairs investigation.