Cop Filmed Holding Gun to Man's Head to "Show Off" For Friends Convicted

by Asa Jay
Police State Daily
Dec. 04, 2015

A Maryland police officer who was filmed holding a gun to a mans head was convicted of first-degree assault and misconduct in office on Wednesday.Prince George's County police officer Jenchesky Santiago was driving through the neighborhood of William Cunningham with two friends in his patrol car in May 2014 – even though he was not authorized to have people in his vehicle, prosecutors say.

Cunningham was in the process of being dropped off in front of his home by his cousin and was sitting inside the car speaking with his relative when Santiago pulled up and demanded to know what the men were doing in the area.

Prosecutors say Cunningham told the officer he lived in the house and Santiago responded by telling the men they were parked illegally, which was not true, before Cunningham asserted that he would exit the vehicle and go inside.

Santiago then reportedly backed up and parked his patrol car, exited it, and then ran at Cunningham as he was making his way to the door with his firearm drawn.

In video filmed by the cousin on his cellphone, which was released on Wednesday, Santiago can be seen walking Cunningham back toward the street with his gun drawn and stuck in his back.

"Get back over here," Santiago says. "Get back in the car!"

"Video this," Cunningham tells his relative. "He put a gun to my head."

"You're right," Santiago retorts before pushing the man and placing his firearm directly onto his forehead. "Get back in the car now! I'm not going to tell you again."

Cunningham then stands defiantly facing down the weapon and shrugs off the officers assault as he again pushes him toward his cousin's vehicle.

"Go ahead, I dare you fucking fight me son," Santiago says while keeping his gun trained on the man. "Get back in the car."

Cunningham can then be seen spreading his legs and placing his hands on the vehicle before Santiago tells his cousin to exit the drivers seat.

Watch the raw footage:

Prosecutors say that according to witnesses, Santiago threatened Cunningham with a phrase that wasn't caught on video. That line was reportedly, "We're PG police, and we shoot people."

Prince George's County State's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks remarked on the incident saying, "We think, unfortunately, what happened is that [Santiago] was showing off for his friends."

Following the incident, Santiago was suspended in June 2014 and then suspended without pay after he was indicted.

In light of Wednesday's conviction, prosecutors say he is facing at least five years in prison without parole but could be sentenced to as much as 45 years. His sentencing date has been set for January 8, 2016.

"I was shocked. At the instant he pointed the gun to my head, I was shocked," Cunningham said. "I thought I was going to die right there. I just thought it was over. I'm thankful justice was served."