Indianapolis Police Sergeant Indicted for Using Excessive Force

INDIANAPOLIS – A federal grand jury in Indianapolis returned an indictment late yesterday charging an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department sergeant with violating the civil rights of an arrestee by using excessive force.

Sgt. Eric Huxley, 44, is charged with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. The indictment alleges that on or about Sept. 24, 2021. Sergeant Huxley used his shod foot to strike an arrestee identified as J.V. in the head and face, without lawful justification. The indictment also alleges that the offense resulted in bodily injury to J.V. and involved the use of a dangerous weapon.

Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; and Special Agent in Charge Herbert Stapleton for the FBI Indianapolis Field Division made the announcement.

The FBI’s Indianapolis Field Division investigated the case.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Preston and Trial Attorney Alec Ward of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, who are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.