A sergeant with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is set to plead guilty Monday to federal charges after body cam footage showed him stomping on a homeless man’s face during his arrest back in 2021.
The incident took place on Sept. 24, 2021, when IMPD officer Mathew Shores was attempting to arrest a man on Monument Circle and called for backup. Body-worn camera from Shores shows him take down the man while handcuffed, then another officer, identified by IMPD as Huxley, stomps on the man’s face as he is on the ground.
Huxley is expected to plead guilty Monday to one count of Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law violation. This plea agreement is coming almost two years from when the incident was first reported. Pleading guilty will carry the following maximum penalties; a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of probation following his release.
According to News 8 Sgt. Huxley remains suspended without pay pending a recommendation of termination to the IMPD Civilian Police Merit Board.
“[The man] is on his backside on the ground, looking up at Ofc. Shores with his hands cuffed behind his back,” stated the probable cause affidavit, the news outlet reported.
“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.
“There you go. Police brutality!” the bloodied suspect responds.
The federal grand jury indictment alleges Huxley used his foot to hit the man without lawful justification.
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The two cops have alleged the department accused them of not making a timely report after the incident and placed them on administrative leave — adding that they were forced to turn in their patrol cars for older models that were “determined to be unsafe,” WTHR reported.
“This incident was unnecessary and should have never occurred,” Taylor said after the indictment was handed down Tuesday.
“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 man] and his family,” he added.