A former Hamtramck police officer has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for using excessive force during two separate arrests, including one in which he pistol-whipped a civilian.
Ryan McInerney, 45, of Grosse Ile Township, Michigan, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gershwin A. Drain on no date provided for deprivation of rights under color of law. As part of his plea agreement, McInerney voluntarily relinquished his law enforcement license.
The incidents occurred in 2014. On June 22, McInerney initiated a traffic stop on D.M. After D.M. stopped his car, McInerney approached the driver’s side door and ordered D.M. to put his hands up, and D.M. complied. Despite this, McInerney used his service firearm to pistol-whip D.M. several times in the face, causing broken facial bones and other injuries. McInerney also admitted to pistol-whipping a second civilian, J.M., during a different arrest later that night, breaking J.M.’s teeth.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said McInerney abused the trust given to him as a law enforcement officer. “The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute law enforcement officials who violate federal civil rights laws to ensure that the rights of all individuals, including those being taken into custody, are protected,” she said.
Acting U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin added, “No one is above the law, and police officers who use unreasonable and excessive force will be vigorously prosecuted and brought to justice.”
The FBI investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Risa Berkower of the Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances Lee Carlson of the Eastern District of Michigan.
McInerney’s sentence is an example of the FBI’s dedication to civil rights and its commitment to holding law enforcement officials accountable for their actions.
Related Federal Cases
- Jahmar Thaxter Gets 10 Years for Pistol-Whipping Man in NW D.C. · Texas
- Ex-Cop Nicholas Hogan Guilty in Cuffed Man Pepper-Spray Attack · Washington
- Sault Ste. Marie Man Gets 14 Years for Knife Attack on Cops · Michigan
- Wykoff Gets 42 Months for Repeated Abuse · Michigan
- Thornton Bank Robber Edward McCraine Gets 14.5 Years · Michigan
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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