CRIME

Detroit-area officer due in court on assault charge tied to beating of motorist in January

Associated Press
Published | Updated

This photo provided April 21, 2015 by the Michigan State Police shows Inkster, Michigan, officer William Melendez. Melendez is charged with assault in the beating of a motorist during a traffic stop in Inkster, Michigan, on Jan. 28. (Michigan State Police via AP) (The Associated Press)

William Melendez leaves the court after being arraigned and having bail set on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 in Inkster, Mich. A judge has entered a not guilty plea and set bond at $25,000 for Melendez, a Detroit-area police officer charged in the beating of Floyd Dent, a motorist, that was caught on video. (Brandy Baker/Detroit News via AP) DETROIT FREE PRESS OUT; HUFFINGTON POST OUT (The Associated Press)

William Melendez, left, confers with his attorney David Lee during his arraignment on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 in Inkster, Mich. A judge has entered a not guilty plea and set bond at $25,000 for Melendez, a Detroit-area police officer charged in the beating of Floyd Dent, a motorist, that was caught on video. (Brandy Baker/Detroit News via AP) DETROIT FREE PRESS OUT; HUFFINGTON POST OUT (The Associated Press)

A Detroit-area police officer charged with assault in the beating of a motorist is scheduled to make his first court appearance.

William Melendez is due in Inkster District Court on Tuesday, a day after charges were announced in the bloody beating of Floyd Dent.

The 57-year-old Dent was repeatedly punched in the head during a traffic stop in Inkster on Jan. 28. Prosecutors didn't know about the beating until a TV station in March aired dashcam video of the arrest.

Melendez insists he did nothing wrong. He's been fired as an officer in Inkster and Highland Park.