Officer Lynell Porch allegedly tripped and choked the teen during an arrest.
The 39-year-old is being held at the Cook County Jail on a $79,000 bond. Prosecutors say it was a wisecrack from the teenage victim that apparently set the officer off.
The alleged victim was taken to the hospital for treatment of the injuries he suffered during the arrest in June of 2010.
A picture was taken of the 16-year-old with his eye swollen shut after he says he was intentionally tripped by Officer Porch.
Prosecutors say on June 16, 2010 Porch and his partner were called to a car wash to check out teenagers possibly selling drugs.
"There were no narcotics found on anyone at the car wash," said Lynn McCarthy, Assistant State's Attorney.
But that wasn't the end of it according to prosecutors who say Porch went up to the victim to have a private conversation with him.
"The officer introduced himself as the new narcotics and gangs officer in Calumet Park. And reportedly the victim laughed and the officer told him he was under arrest," said McCarthy.
Prosecutors say while the teenager was handcuffed Officer Porch lifted the victims' arms behind his back causing him to lean over. Then porch intentionally tripped the boy, according to prosecutors, and the 16-year-old fell face first on the pavement.
"It caused a very serious injury. In addition, it caused his tooth to be needing a root canal, so he had to go through a root canal surgery because of this," Richard Dvorak who is representing the victim in a civil suit filed.
After the incident at the car wash, prosecutors say Porch took the injured teenager to the Calumet Park police station where surveillance tape captured Porch removing the 16-year-old from the squad car by grabbing him by his throat. Prosecutors say Porch led the teen to the booking room and pushed him onto a bench.
Dvorak says it's about time Porch was charged criminally.
"The young man has been through a lot and justice has finally come in that this police officer is arrested for what he did," said Dvorak.
Dvorak says the mother of the victim was convinced Officer Porch's actions were criminal, she filed a complaint against Porch last year.Prosecutors say Porch is only being charged with his actions at the car wash where the witnesses include four other teenagers and Porch's partner.
The Calumet Park police did not have a comment.
