ALABAMA
Blake Hicks, a 33-year-old former deputy sheriff of Elmore County, Alabama, plead guilty Tuesday of violating the civil rights of an individual during an arrest, acting under his official capacity, officials stated.
Court records and statements reveal that Hicks intentionally exerted excessive force against the person in custody, known as T.Q. Hicks, without any legal basis,
He assaulted T.Q. with punches and kicks to the head area while T.Q. was restrained with handcuffs and rendered immobile on the ground. The attack left T.Q. with a fractured cheekbone, a concussion, and multiple cuts, according to authorities.
“Communities entrust law enforcement officers with upholding the rule of law,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “By physically assaulting a defenseless member of the community, Hicks violated both the victim’s fundamental constitutional rights and the community’s trust. The Justice Department will continue to ensure that law enforcement officials who abuse their powers are held accountable.”
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 24. Hicks faces up to 10 years in prison.
The FBI Mobile Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Laura-Kate Bernstein and Special Litigation Counsel Michael J. Songer of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Counts for the Middle District of Alabama are prosecuting the case.