Former St. Ann Police Officer Ellis Brown has been indicted on federal civil rights charges for allegedly kicking a compliant individual so violently that they sustained bodily injury—despite posing no threat, according to a federal indictment unsealed today in St. Louis. The grand jury charges Brown with Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law, a felony that carries up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The incident dates back to April 9, 2019, when Brown, then a sworn officer with the St. Ann Police Department, allegedly “willfully deprived” victim S.K. of their constitutional right to be free from unreasonable seizure. Prosecutors say Brown repeatedly struck the individual with his feet while S.K. was on the ground, fully compliant, and not resisting. No weapon was involved, and no threat was posed to Brown or other officers at the scene.
“When making an arrest, a police officer is given the authority to use only the level of force necessary,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. “In this case, Officer Ellis Brown is accused of using unreasonable force by repeatedly kicking an individual who was compliant and not posing a physical threat to anyone.” The FBI led the investigation into the use-of-force incident, which has drawn renewed scrutiny amid broader national debates over police accountability.
Brown made his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge David D. Noce, where he was allowed to remain free on bond. However, he was ordered to immediately surrender all firearms and is prohibited from possessing any weapon for the duration of the case. Authorities emphasized that the indictment reflects probable cause, not guilt, as the presumption of innocence remains intact until proven otherwise in court.
The charge of Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law is a serious federal offense, reserved for cases where officials abuse their power to violate constitutional protections. If convicted, Brown could face a decade behind bars and a quarter-million-dollar fine. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Jeffrey B. Jensen, is prosecuting the case with support from the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.
This indictment adds to a growing list of misconduct cases involving law enforcement in the St. Louis region. Community advocates say it’s a long-overdue step toward accountability. The case is ongoing, and further court dates are expected in the coming weeks. As always, the charge in an indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Related Federal Cases
- Ex-Cop Ellis C. Brown III Gets 6 Years for Brutal Kick Assault · Missouri
- Dandre R. Brown Indicted in 5-Bank Robbery Spree · Illinois
- Sheltkeem Brown Caught with Loaded Gun After Fleeing Crash · Missouri
- Columbia Man Indicted for Assaulting ICE Officer · Maryland
- Columbia Man Bites Deportation Officer · Maryland
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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