{"id":19523,"date":"2016-01-20T14:20:59","date_gmt":"2016-01-20T22:20:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=19523"},"modified":"2016-01-20T14:56:24","modified_gmt":"2016-01-20T22:56:24","slug":"former-deputy-admits-beating-handyman-and-lying-about-it-to-fbi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=19523","title":{"rendered":"Former Sheriff’s Deputy Admits Beating Handyman and Lying About it to FBI"},"content":{"rendered":"

ALABAMA<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\"Former
Former Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Watson and Beaten Handyman Robert Bryant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thirty-one-year-old Justin Watson<\/strong>, who worked at the Sheriff’s Office in Huntsville, admitted obstructing an FBI investigation by lying about beating Robert Bryant, a handyman, officials said today.<\/span><\/p>\n

The plea agreement calls for a sentence of 33 to 41 months in a federal prison, according to AL.Com report.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0U.S. District Judge Karen Bowdre<\/strong>\u00a0repeatedly noted that she is not bound by the agreement and could impose a more severe prison term. She told Watson that the maximum sentence would be 20 years in prison, according to the AL.com report.<\/span><\/p>\n

Watson will be sentenced at a later date.<\/span><\/p>\n

“My office is committed to investigating allegations of police misconduct, and prosecuting cases where appropriate, in order to ensure that everyone in our community can expect fair treatment from law enforcement,\u201d said U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance of Alabama<\/strong>. \u201cAny law enforcement officer who tries to interfere with an investigation into police misconduct should expect scrutiny for that misbehavior, as well.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Adding, “The vast majority of police officers perform their duties with integrity, even in difficult and trying situations, and support efforts to prosecute officers who commit misconduct. We appreciate that professionalism and want the public to be aware that we are committed, alongside of our state and local law enforcement colleagues, to ensuring that police officers behave in a fair and lawful manner.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"MadisonOfficials with the Madison County Sheriff\u2019s Office in Huntsville, Alabama<\/strong>, had said in a press conference that they they asked the Alabama Bureau of Investigations<\/strong> to investigate the alleged beating. \u00a0But the Bureau declined to do so, they said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Officials then asked the FBI to conduct the investigation that lead to Watson being indicted, they said in the press conference.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to evidence presented in court, Watson, while off-duty, got into a bar fight with Bryant at Billy’s Sports Bar in Hazel Green in July of 2012.<\/span><\/p>\n

Watson searched for the Bryant over the next several weeks, and when he observed the man driving down the highway, Watson pulled him over and ordered him out of his truck.<\/span><\/p>\n

Watson proceeded to strike Bryant in the face, hit him with a baton and choke him until he was unconscious, officials said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"FBIAt a later criminal proceeding, officials said Watson falsely claimed, under oath, to the FBI that he had never Bryant before the traffic stop and that he had not gotten into a bar fight with the man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis deputy, who was sworn to uphold the law, brazenly chose to violate it,\u201d said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department\u2019s Civil Rights Division.<\/strong>\u00a0 \u201cWe cannot, and will not, tolerate police officers who lie under oath to obstruct the pursuit of justice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n