Former Lake Charles police officer indicted for using excessive force

LAFAYETTE, La. – Robert Hammac, 44, a former officer of the Lake Charles Police Department, was indicted today by a federal grand jury for using excessive force against an arrestee, announced U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph and Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.

The indictment charges Hammac with a single count of deprivation of rights under color of law, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 242.  The indictment alleges that on May 8, 2017, Hammac assaulted G.T., an arrestee, using a Taser and resulting in bodily injury to G.T.

If convicted, Hammac faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a $250,000 fine. 

The FBI conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla Bynog of the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Mary J. Hahn of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.