Source: Jennifer Aldridge / iONEDigital
INDIANAPOLIS — A federal grand jury has indicted an Indianapolis police sergeant on allegations he violated a man’s civil rights by using excessive force during a September 2021 arrest.
The indictment alleges that Sgt. Eric Huxley, 44, kicked the man in the head and face “without lawful justification”, causing bodily injury to that person, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana.
It also alleges that the offense “involved the use of a dangerous weapon.”
Huxley is charged with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law.
“This incident was unnecessary and should have never occurred. I would not tolerate this behavior from any community member; Sergeant Huxley is no exception. As law enforcement officers, we must understand that this behavior violates the community’s trust. We have confidence the judicial system will bring justice to (the victim) and his family,” IMPD Chief Randall Taylor said in a written statement.
The encounter happened on Sept. 24, 2021 when the arrestee told a detective he was “practicing his First Amendment right to free speech” and wasn’t talking to anyone in particular on Monument Circle when an IMPD officer approached him, according to a probable cause affidavit.
He told the detective the officer was inside his vehicle and they spoke peacefully, according to the affidavit. The officer got out of his car and the man said he heard the officer asking for assistance.
The man told the detective he continued to talk and yell when the officer asked him to leave the area, according to the affidavit. When he started walking towards his bags, two more officers arrived. While the man and one of the officers were yelling at each other, the officer told the man he was “under arrest.”
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