Katie R. Crews, Pepperball Misuse, KY 2024

Former Louisville Metro Police Officer Katie R. Crews, 29, of Jeffersonville, Indiana, is off the force and on probation after admitting she unleashed a pepperball on a man who posed no threat—while he stood on private property in plain view of her badge and duty. Crews copped to one misdemeanor count of using unreasonable force, a federal civil rights violation, stemming from the incident on or about June 1, 2020.

Last October, Crews stood in a federal courtroom and acknowledged her actions during a plea hearing. She admitted to firing the pepperball without justification, violating the constitutional rights of a civilian merely present on his own or someone else’s private land. No weapon, no aggression, no danger—just a burst of chemical-laced rubber that crossed the line from law enforcement to assault.

As part of her sentencing, Crews received two years of probation, must complete 200 hours of community service, and pay a $5,000 fine. She’s also been stripped of her Kentucky law enforcement certification and no longer holds any authority to carry a badge or a gun under the state’s peace officer standards.

“This former Louisville police officer abused her authority as a law enforcement officer and violated the victim’s civil rights,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This sentence makes clear that law enforcement officials are not above the law.”

U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett for the Western District of Kentucky echoed the sentiment, vowing continued scrutiny of officers who turn their power into punishment. “As in this case, our office will work diligently with our federal and local law enforcement partners to ensure the citizens of the Western District are protected from the use of excessive force by officers sworn to protect them,” Bennett said.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Louisville Metro Police Department’s Public Integrity Unit through the Louisville Public Corruption Civil Rights Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda E. Gregory and Civil Rights Trial Attorney Anita Channapati. The message is clear: when cops cross the line, the feds will draw a new one—in court.