Baltimore Police officer sentenced for misconduct after making false arrest

A Baltimore Police officer who accused a woman of lying about the identity of her abuser and then falsely arrested the father of her children will not serve jail time for misconduct in office.

Baltimore Circuit Judge Videtta A. Brown on Monday sentenced Officer Mamoudou Diallo to probation before judgment, which is not a conviction.

Diallo, 34, who has served in the department for more than five years, completed 40 hours of community service prior to returning to court. He declined to make a statement before sentencing.

“I wish you the best of luck,” Brown told Diallo.

A woman who was eight months pregnant with twins called 911 on May 10, 2024, and reported that someone had choke-slammed her onto the floor.

Diallo was serving as a field training officer and responded to the call. The woman told police she wanted to see a medic but did not wish to speak to them.

But Diallo persisted and zeroed in on the father of the twins, at one point remarking, “If she doesn’t say that’s the person who hit her, we can’t get charges against him.”

When searching the area, Diallo found the man and handcuffed him after taking a child from his arms. That’s when the woman showed up and told police that he was not her assailant.

Diallo accused the woman of “making things up” and “changing her story.” She then filled out a domestic violence complaint form that identified her brother as the attacker.

Next, Diallo ordered a trainee with three days of experience to write a statement of probable cause that falsely claimed the woman had identified her boyfriend as the abuser and that he had admitted to the crime.

Assistant State’s Attorney Kimberly Rothwell previously stated the man was released within 24 hours.

Chaz Ball, Diallo’s attorney, said his client did not act with malice.

Ball said Diallo still faces administrative proceedings. He has been suspended with pay.

“He didn’t listen enough to the victim,” Ball said. “He has learned through this process.”