MILWAUKEE — An officer with the Milwaukee Police Department is charged with physical abuse of a child as well as strangulation and suffocation.
The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office filed the two charges against MPD officer Frank Williams on Saturday, Jan. 20.
TMJ4 doesn’t typically show mugshots but is making an exception in this case given the officers position and the charges against him.
The allegations, outlined and detailed in legal documents, involve physical abuse and strangulation on January 16, 2024, at the defendant's Milwaukee residence.
During a video-recorded forensic interview, prosecutors say the 7-year-old victim described a pattern of abuse where Williams allegedly struck them as well as another child with a belt.
Prosecutors say Williams choked the victim, causing them to cough and struggle to breathe.
The criminal complaint alleges this was not the first time the victim had been physically assaulted by Williams.
Williams was arrested and placed on "full suspension," according to a statement from MPD.
TMJ4's Kaylee Staral went to Williams' home for comment but no one answered the door.
Neighbors told Staral that Williams was usually very calm and kept to himself, adding they've never seen him upset, or any signs there may be something wrong.
TMJ4 believes the incident happened while Williams was off-duty, notable because Williams has been on TMJ4 News before.
In July 2020, he and several co-workers donated basketball hoops to kids in the neighborhoods they served. He told TMJ4's Ryan Jenkins that he hoped to challenge negative attitudes some kids have about those who wear the badge.
TMJ4 reached out to the Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee Police Association to learn more about Williams and whether these charges will further impact his position with the department. They did not immediately respond.
If convicted, Williams could face up to 12 years in prison.
On Monday, the Milwaukee Police Department sent the following statement to TMJ4 regarding this case:
"The Milwaukee Police Department holds all members to the highest degree of integrity and if any member violates the code of conduct, they will be held accountable. He is fully suspended. An internal investigation is pending."
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