Sterling Heights Officers Face Trial for 2024 K-9 Arrest Assault

Two Sterling Heights police officers, James Sribniak and Jack Currie, are set to stand trial for their actions during a February 2024 arrest of Gary Young, a suspect accused of domestic violence. The incident involved a high-speed chase culminating near Gratiot Avenue and I-94, where bodycam footage showed officers punching Young, who was already subdued, and deploying a police K-9 to bite him on the right hip. Sribniak faces charges of misconduct in office and felonious assault, while Currie is charged with misconduct and assault with intent to do great bodily harm. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel emphasized the expectation for police officers to exercise sound judgment, particularly regarding the use of K-9 units. The case was bound over to Macomb County Circuit Court after a thorough preliminary hearing with multiple witnesses and video evidence, and the officers are expected to appear in court in October 2025. The charges carry significant felony penalties, highlighting serious scrutiny over the officers’ conduct during the arrest.