Ex-Burbank Officer Pleads Guilty to Assault

A former Burbank policeman accused of using excessive force pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of misdemeanor assault by a public officer.

Daniel L. Shaw, 40, was sentenced to three years’ probation and 1,000 hours of community service. Shaw, a five-year veteran of the force, was placed on administrative leave shortly after the Jan. 19 incident and was later fired.

Authorities said he arrested transient Michael Vaughn, 47, for allegedly interfering with emergency personnel helping an injured person.

Shaw used excessive force against Vaughn both at the crime scene and while booking him at the Burbank Jail, prosecutors said.

When he was released, Vaughn was bruised but did not require medical attention, police said.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Norm Shapiro also ordered Shaw to pay $350 in fines.

As part of a plea bargain, Deputy Dist. Atty. Hector Guzman reduced the two felony counts to misdemeanors. A separate count of falsifying a police report was dismissed.

Three months later, Vaughn died on a sidewalk on Victory Boulevard. His death was unrelated to his scuffle with Shaw, authorities said.