RICHMOND, Va. — A Richmond Police officer has been found not guilty of misdemeanor sexual battery.
Officer Michael Bryson, 38, who has been with the department since July 2008, was acquitted during a trial Thursday in Richmond.
Bryson was accused of sexually abusing a victim against their will by force, threat, intimidation, or ruse during an incident on February 16, 2019.
Richmond Police say on March 16, 2019, the department received a complaint that initiated an Internal Affairs investigation into alleged misconduct involving Officer Bryson.
Bryson was indicted on May 6.
After the indictment, Bryson was placed on leave without pay.
Now that he has been acquitted, the Richmond Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division will conduct a separate investigation into the incident.
“A report will be submitted to Chief William C. Smith, who will use it to determine Officer Bryson’s future standing with the Department. Meanwhile, Chief Smith has approved placing Officer Bryson on paid, administrative duty status during the I.A. investigation,” said a Richmond Police spokesperson.
Stay with CBS 6 for the latest on this developing story.
