Trevor King, Excessive Force with Baton, GA 2014

Atlanta Police Sergeant Trevor King, 48, of Rex, Georgia, is facing federal charges for allegedly beating an unarmed Walmart customer with a baton in 2014, breaking the man’s leg during a violent confrontation caught on surveillance video. King, off-duty but in uniform, was working as a security officer at the MLK Jr. Boulevard store when he wrongfully accused the man of shoplifting and launched a brutal attack.

The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury, accuses King of using excessive force far beyond what’s legally permissible. According to U.S. Attorney John Horn, the incident represents a gross violation of public trust. “This indictment alleges conduct that is so far outside the bounds of an appropriate police-citizen encounter that this officer must be held accountable,” Horn said in a statement.

On the evening of October 13, 2014, King stopped the customer from leaving the store, grabbed his shirt, and began striking him repeatedly with an expandable baton. Witnesses reported the man did not resist or threaten King. The assault resulted in a broken leg and multiple injuries. Despite being in uniform, King was not acting under official APD direction at the time, though he was armed and identifying as an officer.

Trevor King is expected to be arraigned in federal court within the week. He faces charges under federal civil rights statutes, which prohibit law enforcement officers from using unreasonable force while acting under official authority. Conviction could result in years behind bars and permanent loss of law enforcement credentials.

The case has reignited scrutiny over off-duty officers working private security gigs and the oversight — or lack thereof — in such roles. The FBI has led the investigation, highlighting the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating the incident. It’s rare, but not unprecedented, for active officers to face federal charges in use-of-force cases.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Alan Gray and DOJ Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel are prosecuting. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. For more information, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. Case updates are available at http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.