The former Ellwood City police officer who was seen in a viral video during a scuffle at a Sheetz store is now facing criminal charges.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday’s office says Robert Magnifico is charged with assault official oppression and other counts over the incident.
Magnifico was seen on video yelling and throwing the phone of a 19-year-old customer who had returned to the store to retrieve the device.
“The encounter, which was captured on video, shows a sworn officer engaged in abusive and intimidating behavior that is clearly out of bounds, and, in fact, a series of criminal acts,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Pennsylvanians should feel confident they can depend on law enforcement officers to protect them, and this one officer’s actions threaten that sense of security.”
Magnifico was demoted from sergeant to patrolman after the incident and suspended for 10 days.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 18.
Magnifico is also the head coach of Riverside’s High School football team.