Former Tennessee Law Enforcement Officer Sentenced for Excessive Force Against Arrestees

A 62-year-old former law enforcement officer in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has been sentenced to six years in prison and two years of supervised release for using excessive force against arrestees.

Anthony ‘Tony’ Bean, the former chief of the Tracy City Police Department in Tracy City, Tennessee, and the former chief deputy of the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office in Grundy County, Tennessee, was convicted after trial of using excessive force against arrestee C.G. on two occasions during C.G.’s arrest in 2014, and against arrestee F.M. during F.M.’s arrest in 2017. The court also heard evidence that Bean bragged about using excessive force against victims and failed to report his uses of force.

‘Law enforcement officers who violate victims’ civil rights also violate the trust of their communities,’ said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke. ‘The Justice Department is committed to holding accountable those officers who abuse their authority.’

‘Nobody is above the law,’ said U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III. ‘The defendant, Anthony ‘Tony’ Bean, abused his authority and violated the civil rights of arrestees by physically assaulting them while they were restrained and not posing any threat. A sentence of 72 months sends a strong message to the community that the abuse of arrestees will not be tolerated, and law enforcement officers who break the law will be held accountable for their actions.’

The FBI Knoxville Field Division investigated the case, and Trial Attorneys Kathryn E. Gilbert and Andrew Manns of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney James Brooks for the Eastern District of Tennessee, prosecuted the case.

Defendant/Respondent Name: Anthony ‘Tony’ Bean

Criminal Charges: Using Excessive Force Against Arrestees

City and State: Chattanooga, Tennessee

Exact Date: June 2021 (sentencing), 2014 and 2017 (crime dates)

Sentence or Outcome: Six years in prison and two years of supervised release