Michael Flaig: Maryland Police Officer Bites Man In Testicles During Brawl
Michael Flaig, a 31-year-old police officer for Maryland’s Anne Arundel County, has been suspended after allegations that he bit a man in the testicles outside of a bar on Cinco de Mayo while off-duty.
According to the Baltimore Sun, a man told police that the fight occurred outside of Looney’s Pub in Canton, Maryland. The man had told Michael Flaig to stop harassing his female roommate, but Flaig refused. Later, as the two were walking home, Flaig approached them and attempted to punch the man in the face. The man then grappled with Flaig and took him to the ground.
As Flaig was being held down, another person came up and started to attack the victim. That’s when Flaig bit the victim in the testicles, allowing him to break free and flee the scene.
Baltimore police officers responded to the scene late Tuesday night, and one witness told them she saw Michael Flaig walk into another bar nearby, according to WBALTV. The charging documents state that Flaig was later found intoxicated and with “bloodshot eyes,” while wearing a bloodstained shirt on the second floor of the Claddaugh Pub.
Thomas Bourne told WBALTV he witnessed the fight between Michael Flaig and the victim, and stepped in to put a stop to it.
“The bitee actually got the better of him in the fist fight. After we broke them up is when he disclosed he’d been bitten in the testicles.”
Bourne added that the victim was “upset” after the fight with Flaig.
“[It] took him a long time to calm down. He indicated he needed medical assistance. He was bleeding in his area after what happened.”
Michael Flaig was arrested and charged with public intoxication and second-degree assault. The Anne Arundel County Police Department later released a statement saying Flaig is suspended and has been “placed on paid administrative duties,” while the investigation is underway.
Anne Arundel County Chief of Police Timothy J. Altomare said the charges against Michael Flaig are “disturbing.”
“We have an obligation as police officers to conduct ourselves in a professional manner on and off-duty.”
Altomare added that his department will “cooperate fully” with Baltimore police as the incident is being investigated, but would not comment on anything else involving Michael Flaig and the case.
“At this time, we cannot comment further because for our agency, this is a confidential personnel matter.”
The other person who assisted Michael Flaig during the fight has not been identified.
[Image credit: Baltimore Police Department via WBALTV]
