Indiana police officer charged for stepping on handcuffed black man’s face
One Indianapolis The police sergeant is facing federal charges after body cam footage showed him stomping on a handcuffed homeless man as he lay helpless on the ground.
Sgt. Eric Huxley, 44, a 15-year white veteran of the force, was indicted by a federal grand jury for violating the civil rights of Jermaine Vaughn, a black man, after it was determined he had use of excessive force in the September 2021 incident.
Officer charged with violating civil rights of black people after kicking him in the face as he lay handcuffed
Huxley has been charged with disqualification under the color law for wielding a dangerous weapon, resulting in bodily harm.
FOX 59 reported that Huxley and two other officers, Sgt. Christopher Kibbey and Officer Matthew Shores, were trying to arrest Vaughn for disorderly conduct when they brought him to the ground while he argued.
“[The man] lying on his back on the ground, looking up at Ofc. Shores with his hands cuffed behind his back, “probable cause affidavit, the news agency reported.
Last month, Indianapolis Metropolitan Sgt. Eric Huxley SHOULD slam Jermaine Vaughn in the face while under arrest! He has been charged with 2 felony counts and suspended from duty for what he claims was an “accident”. This is NOT an accident! He needs to take full responsibility! pic.twitter.com/zEvVLt57Zu
– Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) October 15, 2021
“Sergeant. Huxley then went to [the man]lift his left foot and bring his left foot down [the man’s] face to face. For a few seconds, blood is visible in [the man’s] mouth,” it declared. “Stop! You’re done! You’re done! You’re done!” Video shows Huxley shouting at Vaughn after kicking him in the face.
“Police brutality!” Suspect in handcuffs, bloody screaming after being stomped on face on video
Then a bloody Vaughn can be heard replying, “you’re gone. Police brutality!”
The indictment shows that Huxley beat him with his foot without any legal justification.
As reported by FOX 59, the officer has been suspended from work without pay and will likely lose his job along with local felony battery and misconduct charges.
A separate federal lawsuit names the city, the police department and sheriff Randal Taylor, who alleges that two other officers who reported Huxley must have retaliated for the whistleblower’s conduct.
Just watch the video. Today, Jermaine Vaughn will have thoughts and prayers. If you’re wondering what an overt threat looks like, here’s one: Meet Sgt. Eric Huxley pic.twitter.com/DjLehdcWVj
– Daniel Frens (@frenswbenefit) October 29, 2021
Whistleblowers who reported officials face retaliation, separate lawsuit charges
The two officials allege that the ministry accused them of not reporting in a timely manner and were similarly placed on administrative leave. Follow WTHR.
Taylor distanced herself from the incident and said it was “unnecessary and should never have happened.”
“This incident was unnecessary and should never have happened,” Taylor said after the indictment was announced Tuesday. “I will not tolerate this behavior by any member of the community; Sergeant Huxley is no exception. As law enforcement officers, we must understand that this behavior violates the public’s trust. We believe the justice system will bring justice to [the man] and his family,” he added.
Officers are seeking penalties and other damages with amounts to be determined at trial. They also requested the payment of legal fees and the filing of employment discrimination charges against the IMPD with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.