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California Police Officers Indicted for Civil Rights Charges
A federal grand jury has indicted four California police officers for their role in the assault of a man in their custody in October 2005. Former Fresno Police Department Officers Christopher Coleman, 42, Paul Van Dalen, 44, and Sean Plymale, 41, as well as current FPD Sergeant Michael Manfredi, 50, are charged with civil rights and obstruction of justice offenses.
According to the indictment, Coleman used a 12-gauge shotgun to repeatedly shoot the victim with less-lethal ammunition, which consists of a flexible material that is filled with metal shot. Despite its name, less-lethal ammunition can cause death or serious bodily injury. Coleman is also charged with driving a speeding vehicle at the victim, putting him in fear for his life. Van Dalen repeatedly kicked the victim in the side and stepped on his ankle.
Plymale and Manfredi are each charged with one count of misprision of a felony for their knowing concealment of the assault carried out by Coleman and Van Dalen. All four defendants also are charged with one count of falsifying an official report to obstruct justice.
The case is being investigated by the Fresno Field Office of the FBI, in conjunction with the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California. Trial Attorney Benjamin J. Hawk and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin P. Rooney and Elana S. Landau are handling the prosecution.
The indictment alleges that the defendants’ actions were a brazen display of police brutality and a blatant disregard for the law. The charges against the four defendants are serious, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served.
The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case is pending in federal court in Fresno. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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