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Melvindale Police Sergeant Charged
with Assault and Willful Neglect of Duty

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Matthew Lawrence Furman, 34, (DOB: 04/18/1985), of Allen Park, in connection with an encounter with an intoxicated adult male, 42, from Melvindale, Michigan.

On February 1, 2019 at approximately 9:44 p.m., Defendant Melvindale Police Sergeant Matthew Furman, along with another Melvindale police officer, were dispatched to a residence in the 17300 block of Clarran Avenue in Melvindale, to respond to a call of a drunk and disorderly person. Upon arrival, Furman found the intoxicated victim. It is alleged that Furman while attempting to escort the victim down stairs into the basement to recover, had contact with the victim causing him to fall. It is further alleged that Furman willfully neglected his duty while handling the intoxicated victim. EMS was called and the victim was transported to a local hospital.

Furman has been charged with Assault and Battery, a 93 day misdemeanor, and Willful Neglect of Duty, a misdemeanor with a one year penalty.* Furman was arraigned today and given a personal bond in 28th District Court in Southgate. Today he entered a no contest plea to Willful Neglect of Duty, with one year of probation with the condition that he attend anger management classes, with restitution, fines, and costs to be determined by the court. The Assault and Battery charge will be dismissed at the sentence hearing. The sentence date will be announced by the court at a later date. WCPO does not have a photograph of the defendant. The defendant is represented by attorney Edward Zelenak.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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