Former METRO officer indicted in beating case

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - A Harris County grand jury has indicted former METRO officer Jarius Warren and charged him with assault in the beating of a man who was sleeping at the Burnett Transit Center. The Sept. 14 incident was captured on surveillance video.

Warren and another METRO officer had arrested Darrel Giles, 31, who was charged with criminal trespass and resisting arrest. Following an investigation into the incident, the charges against Giles were dismissed.

"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."

Warren struck Giles with a baton and injured him, according to the grand jury indictment. The same jury did not indict METRO Officer D. Reynoso.

If Warren is convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a fine of no more than $4,000. He resigned from the METRO Police Department on Monday while an internal affairs investigation was underway.