Viral video of police officer caught in compromising incident with another woman is ‘painful’ says wife
Officer Francesco Marlett has been suspended by Prince George’s County Police Department
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The wife of a Maryland police officer caught in a viral video getting into the back of his cruiser with another woman has called the incident “embarrassing and painful.”
An investigation has now been launched into the behaviour of Francesco Marlett by Prince George’s County Police Department after the TikTok video had more than 2.4 million views.
A woman claiming to be the officer’s wife reacted to the video in a Facebook post, which is no longer available on the platform.
“We need the support the love and most of all the respect from the community and our families,” wrote Paula Marlett on Facebook on Wednesday, reported FOX5.
And she added: “Yes I know what’s been going on.”
The officer was suspended after the video showed him apparently kissing a woman before they got into the PGCPD cruiser, which was near a park in the Oxon Hill neighbourhood of Southlawn.
“As soon as we became aware earlier today, we opened an investigation to determine the circumstances,” the department said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
“Additional information will be released once investigated and confirmed.”
The force went on to later add that the officer’s “police powers are now suspended as the investigation continues”.
Update: the officer has been identified. His police powers are now suspended as the investigation continues. https://t.co/hzDdUZuNzm
— PGPDNEWS (@PGPDNews) September 5, 2023
Nelson Ochoa says he began videoing the officer after he saw him pull up in his vehicle on Labor Day.
“As soon as I started recording, a car pulled up and a young lady came out,” Mr Ochoa told NBC Washington.
He says that the pair got into the cruiser and that after around 40 minutes the officer and the woman drove away in different directions.
“We couldn’t believe what we were seeing, and what really made us go, wow, this is crazy, is when the car started rocking a little bit to the left and right. That’s when we were, like, this is crazy. In broad daylight with kids around,” he added.
Officer Marlett has previous suspensions during his law enforcement career, according to FOX 5.
The station reported that in 2016 he was suspended from the force without pay after he was accused of beating his girlfriend’s three-year-old unconscious. Charges were eventually dropped and his record was expunged.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments