River Rouge police officer charged with assault of civilian

A River Rouge police officer has been charged with a common law offense and assault after allegedly pistol-whipping a Detroit man during an arrest.

Sergio Olivito was charged in Dearborn's 19th District Court with a felony common law offense and misdemeanor assault and battery. He was charged Jan. 9 but was not arraigned until Feb. 13.

His attorney, Dennis Whittie, did not respond for comment Friday. Olivito faces up to five years in prison if he is convicted of the felony.

River Rouge Public Safety Director Roberto Cruz said Olivito was put on unpaid administrative leave since the charges were filed.

The victim in the case, Quavone Reed, filed a federal lawsuit against Olivito.

The incident happened in June of 2022. According to the lawsuit, Olivito began pursuing Reed when he was allegedly fleeing police and speeding. Reed eventually stopped and fled from his vehicle on foot.

Olivito allegedly found Reed sitting on a concrete step and ordered him to the ground, but he remained sitting, according to the lawsuit. Olivito allegedly pistol whipped Reed and arrested him. According to the lawsuit, Reed did not threaten officers and did not have a weapon. The lawsuit says Olivito has a history of using excessive force.

In his response to the lawsuit, Olivito denied that his gun struck Reed in the head. He said Reed disobeyed his "reasonable commands" and that he had been told Reed might have a weapon and may have threatened police with it. Olivito denied using excessive force and denied having a history of using excessive force.

kberg@detroitnews.com