Assault charges filed against former Merced County Sheriff's Sergeant

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Merced County district attorney's office has filed charges against former Merced County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Dustin Witt.

Witt, 42, is accused of using excessive force against a detainee.

On March 11, 2023, Louis Jackson was detained by a Merced County Sheriff's deputy following a suspected DUI-related accident.

Witt responded to the scene to assist and during the encounter, the district attorney's office says Witt kicked Jackson in the head multiple times.

By June, Witt resigned after the Sheriff's Office launched an internal affairs investigation.

Witt has been charged with assault by a public officer, assault likely to cause great bodily injury and an enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury.

The Merced County Sheriff's Office has released the video footage of the incident.

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The Merced County Sheriff's Office has released the video footage of the incident involving former sergeant Dustin Witt.

Witt appeared in court Wednesday and plead not guilty. A preliminary hearing has been set for Sept. 22.

Stay with ABC30 for the latest details on this developing story.

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