BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A Baltimore police officer is off the job, charged with assault. He’s accused of choking a prisoner who was already in restraints.

Rick Ritter with the details.

Police tell WJZ it was other officers who witnessed the alleged incident and reported it to internal affairs. Now he’s being charged with second-degree assault.

It all unfolded last September when a fugitive in custody was handed over to Baltimore City police at the Warrant Apprehension Task Force building in Remington.

Authorities say Officer Konstaninos Passamichalis was assisting two bailbondsmen in the parking lot, taking control of a suspect who was a possible flight risk with several open warrants.

Police claim Officer Passamichalis placed the prisoner in plastic restraints and then grabbed him around the throat with both hands and assaulted him.

Police say the prisoner never tried to escape the parking lot. They say after witnessing the encounter, it was another detective who stepped in and took the prisoner inside.

Authorities tell WJZ it was Passamichalis’ peers who reported the incident to the department’s internal affairs section. After months of investigating, the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office took over.

Passamichalis, a 24-year veteran, is now being charged with second-degree assault and misconduct in office.

The officer was suspended last year and placed on administrative duties, where he remains at this time.

A 24-year veteran, Passamichalis, received the department’s Silver Star Award in 2008.