DANVILLE, KY – A former Boyle County Sheriff’s Deputy is trading his badge for prison stripes after receiving a 110-month sentence for a pattern of brutal abuse against those he swore to protect. Tanner M. Abbott, 31, learned his fate today after a federal jury convicted him in March of five felonies and one misdemeanor, bringing an end to a case that exposed a shocking disregard for the law from within law enforcement itself.
The charges stemmed from Abbott’s repeated use of excessive force against four arrestees, an illegal search, and a deliberate conspiracy to falsify police reports designed to cover up his actions. According to court documents, Abbott didn’t just cross the line – he obliterated it, routinely using his authority as a shield against accountability. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division minced no words, stating, “This sentence should send a loud message that such abuses by law enforcement will not be tolerated.”
U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky echoed that sentiment, adding a particularly damning indictment of Abbott’s behavior: “Instead of protecting and serving the community, the defendant was physically abusing people — even bragging about the injuries he caused.” Shier bluntly labeled it not law enforcement, but “brazen criminal conduct.” The evidence presented at sentencing painted a disturbing picture of a man reveling in his power, inflicting harm and then attempting to bury the truth.
The FBI’s two-year investigation uncovered a trove of incriminating evidence, including text messages recovered from Abbott’s work phone. These messages weren’t just admissions of force; they were graphic, vulgar boasts about the injuries he inflicted on suspects. Even more chilling, Abbott allegedly photographed the injuries he caused and shared them with friends and acquaintances – but conveniently omitted them from official police documentation. Two additional witnesses bravely testified, detailing their own experiences of physical abuse at Abbott’s hands during arrest.
But the deceit didn’t stop with cover-ups. The court found Abbott obstructed justice *during his own trial* by providing false testimony in his defense. This blatant attempt to mislead the jury only solidified the extent of his wrongdoing. The FBI Louisville Field Office spearheaded the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Dembo, alongside Trial Attorney Alec Ward of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section, successfully prosecuted the case, ensuring Abbott faced consequences for his actions.
The 110-month sentence – over nine years behind bars – serves as a stark reminder that even those sworn to uphold the law are not above it. While the community deserved better from its law enforcement, they now have a measure of justice, and a convicted criminal where a deputy once stood. The case highlights the critical need for continued vigilance and accountability within police departments nationwide.
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Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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