Area officer set for sentencing in beating of driver

The former Inkster police officer was convicted of assaulting Floyd Dent during a traffic stop a year ago.

Melendez, 47, was convicted in November of misconduct in office and assault with intent to do great bodily harm, both felonies, and will be sentenced this afternoon. On a second count, he was given time served.

In a statement read by a family member at Melendez’ sentencing, Mr Dent said the officer stopped him because he was a “black man in a Cadillac”.

After lunch, prosecution and defense attorneys as well as Melendez will have a chance to address the court.

Melendez was an Inkster police officer last January when he stopped Floyd Dent for disregarding a stop sign. It was one in a series of incidents across the United States that have fueled a national debate on race and policing. Dent suffered broken ribs, blood on his brain and other injuries. Last year, Dent reached a $1.4 million settlement in a civil lawsuit against Inkster, which has a majority black population but a majority white police force. She called Melendez’s actions “barbaric” and said he betrayed his city with his actions.