An Indianapolis police sergeant who stomped on a handcuffed man’s face during an arrest was sentenced to one year and one day in prison Friday, federal prosecutors said.
As we previously reported, Eric Huxley, 45, pleaded guilty in May to a civil rights charge. The violent incident during a Sept. 24, 2021, arrest for disorderly conduct was captured on body-worn camera. 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.
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“In addition to the trauma inflicted on victims, police officers who break the law and use excessive force damage the community’s trust in the law enforcement profession,” Zachary Myers, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, said in a statement.
Before being sentenced to a year, According to News 8 Sgt. Huxley remained 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.
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.
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“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.
