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Press Release

Chicago Police Officer Charged with Federal Civil Rights Violations

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois

CHICAGO — A Chicago police officer has been indicted on federal civil rights charges for allegedly using unreasonable force against two individuals while on duty.

MARCO PROANO, 41, of Chicago, is charged with two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law.  Proano is alleged to have used unreasonable force with a dangerous weapon while on duty as an officer of the Chicago Police Department on Dec. 22, 2013.  The victims suffered bodily injuries as a result of the unreasonable force, the indictment states.

The indictment was returned Thursday in federal court in Chicago.  A date for arraignment has not yet been set.

The indictment was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Michael J. Anderson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“When a police officer uses unreasonable force, it has a harmful effect on not only the victims, but also the public, who lose faith and confidence in law enforcement,” Mr. Fardon said.  “Our Office will continue to independently and vigorously pursue civil rights prosecutions to hold officers accountable and strengthen trust in the police.”

Each count of the indictment is punishable by up to ten years in prison.  If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Georgia Alexakis and Erika Csicsila.

Indictment

Updated September 16, 2016

Topic
Civil Rights