LA County Sheriff's Deputy Accused Of Hitting 19-Year-Old Inmate

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Authorities Friday said a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy will be arraigned next month on an assault charge stemming from an alleged incident with an inmate in July 2011.

The deputy was identified in a Los Angeles County District Attorney's office statement as Matthew John Funicello.

Funicello was booked Thursday on suspicion of assault under color of authority, the statement said. He has since been released on $35,000 bail.

The 31-year-old is accused of hitting a 19-year-old inmate several times with his fist, the statement said.

The inmate, at the time of the alleged incident, was in a patrol car and was being taken to the Twin Towers Correctional Facility.

The statement said Funicello could be imprisoned for up to three years if found guilty.