FDLE: South Florida police sergeant arrested for striking and dragging man

OPA-LOCKA, Fla. (CBS12) — A South Florida police sergeant was arrested after agents say he struck and dragged a man along concrete steps.

FDLE agents said they've arrested 35-year-old Sergio Miguel Perez, of Miami Gardens on Tuesday for one first-degree misdemeanor count of battery. Perez was a sergeant with Opa-Locka Police Department, a city located between Hollywood and Miami, (OLPD) when he was arrested.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said the investigation began in June 2022 after newly appointed OLPD Chief Scott Israel asked FDLE to review an allegation against Perez of excessive force from a September 2020 incident.

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Through further investigation, FDLE agents said Lieutenant Perez intentionally struck the victim multiple times in the head, despite another law enforcement officer telling him to stop. The victim was dragged by his feet out of his residence, which led to the victim hitting his head on concrete steps.

FDLE says Perez was previously arrested in January 2022 on an unrelated case. He faces battery charges in that case as well.