Tremaine McMillian, the 14-year-old boy who was forced to the ground and head-locked by Miami-Dade Police because, among other things, they claimed he was giving them "dehumanizing stares," had his day in court this morning.
McMillian was also facing two unrelated charges, but all charges will be dropped on the condition that he successfully complete a juvenile diversion program.
McMillian also faced three other charges: strong-arm robbery for pushing a child off his bike and taking it, burglary of a structure for entering a fenced-in yard and taking a puppy, and resisting arrest without violence for the incident at Haulover Park in May. (There's no confirmation that the puppy he was carrying during the Haulover charges is the one he's alleged to have taken.)
McMillian entered a plea deal today. For the next two years, he'll be on probation and must complete the Empowered Youth Program. He must attend meetings two to three times a week at the Tacolcy Center in Liberty City; officials claim the program has a history of success in steering boys away from further involvement in the criminal justice system.
If McMillian successfully completes the program, sticks to the terms of his probation, and avoids any other charges during the next two years, all charges will be officially dropped and removed from his record.
Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.
