David Yager, 29, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to violating a detainee’s civil rights by using excessive force by punching and tasing him while he was confined to a restraining chair, officials
Yager faces up to 42 months in prison.
During the plea hearing, Yager admitted that on or about Feb. 28, 2021, while he was acting as a sergeant in the jail at the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, he repeatedly punched a restrained detainee in the chest with a taser, which he also deployed on the detainee.
Yager admitted that the detainee was confined to a restraint chair at the time, according to the plea agreement.
Yager also admitted that his acts caused bodily injury to the detainee, and that he used force on the detainee despite knowing that there was no legitimate, law enforcement need to use force.
Yager admitted that he hit the detainee out of anger, Yager’s plea agreement indicates.
This case was investigated by the FBI Dallas Field Office.
“Law enforcement officers who violate the law erode confidence in the rule that we hold so dear to our democratic way of life,” said U.S. Attorney Featherston. “Specifically, those officials who violate a citizen’s civil rights will be held accountable for their improper violent actions. We must expect and require officers to act professionally. Simply put, the failure to do so will not be tolerated.”
A sentencing date will be scheduled after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Batson for the Eastern District of Texas and Trial Attorneys Kathryn E. Gilbert and Matthew Tannenbaum of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.