Press Release: AG Nessel Charges Former Lowell Police Officer

The following information was issued in a press release from the office of Attorney General Dana Nessel on March 9, 2021. This is a shortened version of the release, and the full document, including information about a case in Macomb County, can be viewed online here

 

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel today announced the outcomes of two public integrity investigations related to police-involved shootings in Macomb and Ionia counties, with charges being filed against one officer and another being cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.

“When I took office, I announced that this Department would focus special attention on officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths,” Nessel said. “These are challenging cases that require a careful and thoughtful review to ensure the trust of the parties involved and the confidence of the larger public in the process that we use. To meet that challenge, we are committed to conducting each review without pre-conceived notions or pre-determined outcomes. Instead, we will reach our conclusions by following the evidence – wherever it takes us.”

The Attorney General’s office filed charges Monday in Ionia County’s 64-A District Court against Lowell Police Officer Jason Diaz. After a high-speed chase through Kent and Ionia counties on Aug. 29, 2020, Diaz allegedly fired his weapon at the fleeing vehicle and struck a passenger in the head, causing injury. Diaz’s actions violated both the law and Lowell Police Department’s Use of Force Policy, the Attorney General’s complaint alleges.

Diaz, 40, of Wyoming was charged with:

  • One count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, a 10-year felony;
  • One count of misconduct in office by a public official, a five-year felony; and
  • One count of weapons, careless discharge causing injury, a two-year high court misdemeanor.

Diaz was arraigned on the charges today before Magistrate David Wirth in Ionia County 64-A District Court. Bond was set at 10% of $50,000. He is scheduled for a probable cause conference at 1 p.m. March 22 and a preliminary exam at 1 p.m. March 29.

A copy of the charging documents can be found here.

Attorney General Nessel also issued the following video statement with the press release:

Lowell’s First Look contacted the City of Lowell for their response to the charges and learned Officer Diaz has resigned from the Lowell Police Department. The following statement was also issued by city spokesperson Mary Ann Sabo:

In our judicial system, everyone enters with the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise in a court of law. Although this individual is not currently employed by the City, pending the outcome of the case, he could reapply for a position in the department or with the City.

 

 

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*