A Prince George’s County police officer accused of wrongfully charging a Cottage City man in February for attempting to grab his gun was issued a criminal summons Friday to appear in court and could lose his job, police said.

Cpl. Donald Taylor, a 13-year veteran, faces second-degree assault charges, giving a false statement to police, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment, said Kevin Davis, the county police assistant chief. While not in custody, Taylor is scheduled to appear Aug. 24 in Prince George’s County Circuit Court. He still faces an administrative investigation where he possibly could lose his job, Davis said Friday.

The charges stem from a Feb. 3 incident at a Brentwood Lowest Price Gas station convenience store in the 3800 block of Rhode Island Avenue.

Taylor initially told county police that he and a second officer saw two men trying to rob the station convenience store, police said. Taylor claimed Ryan Keith Dorm, then 19, started to run once he and the second officer approached them and that Dorm tried to reach for his gun. Taylor then fired his service weapon, but did not strike Dorm, according to police.

Dorm was arrested and initially charged with second degree assault and attempting to disarm an officer, police said. His charges since have been dropped, Davis said.

Davis said county police internal affairs detectives responded to the scene Feb. 3 and found the surveillance footage of the events did not match up with Taylor’s story. Taylor was suspended Feb. 4 and has been on administrative duty since, Davis said. Taylor faces a suspension hearing Monday to determine whether he will be suspended with or without pay.

“It’s a process,” Davis said. “This process, I would argue, has occurred in a timely fashion.”

No attorney information was listed for Taylor in online Prince George’s County court records. A number was not listed for Dorm’s address.

The second officer involved, who has not been identified, faces an administrative investigation. His police powers have been suspended, but he likely will not face a criminal prosecution, Davis said.

nmcgill@gazette.net