Brian Hamacher

Broward Sheriff's Deputy Found Guilty of Battery in Rough 2014 Arrest

A jury found 38-year-old Justin Lambert guilty of the charges, which stemmed from the February 2014 arrest of David Gonzalez

A Broward Sheriff's deputy accused of using excessive force during a 2014 arrest in Deerfield Beach that was caught on camera was found guilty of battery and falsifying records charges Tuesday.

A jury found 38-year-old Justin Lambert guilty of the charges, which stemmed from the February 2014 arrest of David Gonzalez.

Lambert and another deputy were seen on surveillance video roughing up Gonzalez outside a gas station. Lambert was seen in the video slamming Gonzalez face-first onto the pavement, leaving him with a broken eye socket.

Lambert claimed he was justified in using force against Gonzalez after he resisted the deputies. Lambert had been suspended without pay after the charge was upgraded from misdemeanor battery to felony battery.

The felony charge carries a maximum punishment of up to five years in state prison and the misdemeanor falsifying records charge carries a maximum punishment of up to one year in jail, Broward State Attorney Mike Satz said.

Sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

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