SAGINAW (WWJ) A former Michigan State Police trooper from Saginaw pled No Contest for use of excessive force when he pulled over an apparently intoxicated driver in March of 2022, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s Office.
Bram Schroeder, 28, of Saginaw pled No Contest on Monday to one count each of Aggravated Assault and Neglect of Duty. No Contest means the defendant accepts conviction without pleading or admitting guilt.
“An assault of this nature is absolutely unacceptable from a law enforcement officer,” Nessel said in the press release.
The Attorney General’s Office said Schroeder “struck the driver while he was handcuffed and knocked him unconscious.”
Schroeder had pulled over the man for failure to signal and speeding— and “he was uncooperative with his attempted arrest on suspicion drunk driving,” according to the Michigan Attorney General’s press release.
After he struck the driver, the ambulance was called to evaluate the man but left the scene soon after.
“Schroeder again assaulted the man while attempting to secure him in the back of an MSP vehicle,” the press release said.
The driver was taken to the Saginaw Police Department and then the hospital. There was no word on the extent of his injuries or his current condition.
Schroeder was originally charged with one count of Misconduct in Office and one count of Aggravated Assault.
Schroeder resigned from his position with Michigan State Police, and surrendered his Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) as part of his plea on Monday.
“Not everyone has the proper temperament to wear a uniform and carry a badge. By securing the surrender of his MCOLES license, this defendant will no longer have the ability to abuse his position of authority,” Nessel said. “This assault harmed more than the handcuffed victim, but more broadly it also violated our trust in law enforcement.”
Schroeder is slated to be sentenced on March 5th.