Ex-Inskter Police Officer William Melendez speaks to his attorney before being found guilty of a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison for the Jan. 28 beating of motorist Floyd Dent.

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DETROIT, MI -- Some in the Detroit courtroom were shocked when Wayne Circuit Judge Vonda Evans sent fired Inkster Police Officer William Melendez directly to jail Nov. 19.

Moments earlier, a jury found Melendez guilty of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, punishable by up to 10 years in prison; and guilty of misconduct in office, punishable by up to five years in prison.

He's been jailed nearly 10 weeks and will be sentenced by Evans about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Key evidence in the case against the longtime law enforcer was dash-cam footage that captured Melendez bloodying the face of 58-year-old Dent with a flurry of 16 punches after a traffic stop.

"I'm glad that Vonda Evans had the courage to remand him, even though he's an officer of the law." Dent's attorney, Gregory Rohl, said the day of the verdict. " ... He's being treated the same way everyone else is, and I told Floyd a long time ago, let the system work for you, and it did.

"Now the system worked for Melendez and justice is being served today."

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said "public confidence in law enforcement is eroded when police officers abuse citizens," and "the jury's verdict in this case is important because it shows that police brutality cannot and will not be tolerated."

"Robocop" is the nickname Melendez, 47, earned because his of alleged rough tactics while policing in Detroit, where he worked prior to taking a job in Inkster.

Melendez was performing surveillance on a motel known for prostitution and drugs Jan. 28, 2015 when he saw Dent leave the premises. Melendez began following Dent and engaged his lights after he says Dent committed a traffic violation.

Dent didn't immediately stop. Video shows Dent proceed, while swerving, more than 20 seconds before coming to a complete stop. Dent testified he was swerving to avoid potholes and didn't want to stop in an area that wasn't well lit.

When he did stop, Dent opened the driver's-side door and was pulled from his Cadillac by unpaid volunteer Police Officer John Zieleniewski.

Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Robert Donaldson called Zieleniewski a "wannabe cop" who doesn't like black people.

"At least give me the satisfaction of knowing you were out there beating up n*****s right now," said a text sent to Zieleniewski in 2015 that was read aloud during a hearing. "LOL," Zieleniewski responded months after the Dent arrest, apparently referring to someone else. "Just got done with one."

After Dent was pulled from the car, Melendez placed Dent in a chokehold and began punching him in the face and head.

Dent was then shot with a Taser multiple times and taken to jail. Dent testified that he requested medical care multiple times before being hospitalized hours later.

According to Rohl, Dent suffered a fractured left orbital, blood on the brain, four broken ribs and spent three days in the hospital.

After searching Dent's Cadillac, police are seen on dash-cam video holding up a baggie with a white substance that police said contained crack cocaine.

Worthy originally charged Dent with driving on a suspended license, possession of cocaine and resisting or assaulting a police officer.

All of the charges were subsequently dismissed.

"It's in the best interest of justice," Worthy said in April, when asked about her reasoning for dismissing the cocaine possession charge.

Dent denied Melendez's claim in his police report, that Dent said, "I'll kill you," bit the officer's arm and resisted arrest. Dent also denies going to the Budget Inn, the place Melendez was performing surveillance on.

Instead, Dent says, he was delivering Bud Light and a bottle of Remy Martin cognac to a blind friend at a nearby apartment complex.

Dent, who was adamant he hadn't used or possessed cocaine the night of the arrest -- a statement Rohl said was backed up by a drug and lie detector test he had Dent take -- tested positive for cocaine during a urine test after the arrest.

That revelation came after Inkster officials already agreed to settle any civil claims with Dent for nearly $1.37 million.

Rohl accused the hospital of altering the test results to help police department's cocaine possession case.

"Quite honestly, it's our belief that Garden City (hospital) did a favor for the police officers and checked the box," Rohl said. " ... Do your research and you'll find there are other hospitals available; however, whenever they beat a person they always take them to Garden City Hospital for a reason."

Following a hearing in May, Rohl said the hospital has "a little issue on their hands" because they "conspired with these officers," and "they're our next defendant."

Following the criminal charges against Melendez, acting Inkster Police Chief Vicki Yost resigned and officials suspended two other officers.

Melendez has been involved in multiple prior lawsuits alleging civil rights violations.