Charges filed against ex-Glendale officer accused of tasing man in the groin

Former Glendale officer accused of aggravated assault after tasing man 11 times

GLENDALE, Ariz. - A former Glendale police officer now faces criminal charges after he allegedly used a stun gun on a man 11 times, including in the groin, during a traffic stop in 2017.

Body camera footage reportedly showed Officer Matthew Schneider using excessive force on a man named Johnny Wheatcroft.

At the time, police said Wheatcroft was resisting officers as they were trying to get him out of the car.

During the incident, officers reportedly pulled Wheatcroft's pants down while he was in custody and shocked his testicles with a Taser. When asked, officials referred to that area as Wheatcroft's thigh. They also contend that he remained combative, even though his feet were tangled in a seatbelt.

Schneider was suspended for three days after the incident, and he applied for retirement in 2020.

Former officer Matthew Schneider

Glendale city officials said they had submitted a report to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office back when the case happened. County officials had refused to file charges after reviewing the report and videos.

After Wheatcroft's attorney filed a civil lawsuit, public outcry and harsh criticism from the governor, the county attorney re-opened the aggravated assault case against Schneider and turned it over to the FBI for review.

The case was sent over to the state attorney general's office, and this week, prosecutors filed three cases of aggravated assault against Schneider.

The city of Glendale released the following statement:

When this incident took place, the Glendale Police Department conducted a criminal investigation and submitted a report to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO). That report included possible charges against former Officer Schneider. After reviewing the report and videos, which have since been widely circulated through the media, MCAO notified the Glendale Police Department that they would not be filing charges. The Glendale Police Department then conducted an internal investigation, in line with the City’s policies and procedures, that resulted in discipline against former Officer Schneider.

The City will fully cooperate with any requests made by the Attorney General’s Office. The Glendale Police Department works tirelessly to maintain the respect of the community they serve. The Glendale Police Department wants the community to know that they are honored to serve and protect them and want to do so with a police force they can be proud to have representing them. As this matter is under litigation, we will have no further comment.