WESTLAND, Mich. – A former Westland officer has been found not guilty after his girlfriend accused him of punching and strangling her several times following a wedding reception.
Sebastian Iavasile was arrested around 2 a.m. Aug. 22, 2021, after his now-ex-girlfriend accused him of punching her multiple times while he was driving home from a Livonia wedding reception the previous night.
The 24-year-old woman called police at 1:28 a.m. Aug. 22, 2021, and said Iavasile had punched and strangled her multiple times. He was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm and domestic violence.
Less than two months after being sworn in as a Westland police officer on July 6, 2021, Iavasile was placed on administrative leave by the department. He maintained his innocence during court proceedings.
On Jan. 12, 2023, a Wayne County jury found Iavasile not guilty on all charges. The trial lasted about two and a half days, and the jury deliberated for a day and a half before reaching a verdict.