AnIndianapolispolice officer is facing federal assault charges after body cam footage showed him kicking the face of a handcuffed homeless black man as he lay helpless on the ground.
Sgt. Eric Huxley, 44, a white 15-year veteran of the force, was indicted by a federal grand jury for violating Jermaine Vaughn, a Black man’s civil rights, having determined he used excessive force during the September 2021 incident.
FOX 59 reports that Huxley and two other officers, Sgt. Christopher Kibbey and officer Matthew Shores were attempting to arrest Vaughn for disorderly conduct when they took him to the ground while he kept insisting that he had done nothing wrong.
The news outlet reported that the probable cause affidavit said:
“[The man] is on his backside on the ground, looking up at Ofc. Shores with his hands cuffed behind his back.”
“Sgt. Huxley then walks over to [the man], lifts his left leg, and drives his left foot down into [the man’s] face. Within seconds, blood is visible in [the man’s] mouth,” it stated.
“Stop! You’re done! You’re done! You’re done!” Huxley yells at Vaughn after kicking him in the face, the video shows.
A bloodied Vaughn could then be heard responding, “there you go. Police brutality!”
The officer has since been suspended without pay and also will likely lose his job, alongside local felony charges of battery and official misconduct, FOX 59 reports.
The officers are seeking punitive and other damages in an amount to be determined at trial.
They’re also requesting legal fees be covered and filed charges of employment discrimination against IMPD with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
