Jared Desadier, Abusing an Arrestee, Louisiana 2020

Jared Desadier, a 44-year-old former police officer, has been sentenced to 78 months in federal prison and two years of supervised release for his role in the assault of an arrestee in Ouachita Parish and his efforts to cover up that abuse.

The assault occurred on April 21, 2020, when Desadier and fellow officers conducted a field interview with the victim, who attempted to run away. Desadier chased after the victim, who eventually stopped running and got on his stomach with his hands behind his back. Desadier then asked his fellow officer if the body-worn camera was recording, and when he was mistakenly told it was off, he continued to run towards the victim and kicked him in the face.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division called Desadier’s actions an ‘affront to the principles of honesty and integrity that our society expects from law enforcement.’ Clarke emphasized that the sentence makes clear that the government will aggressively investigate and prosecute any officer who believes the Constitution only applies when the cameras are on.

U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of Louisiana added that all Americans expect law enforcement officers to continuously abide by the law. Brown highlighted that prosecuting offenses such as these not only benefits society but also law enforcement, as bad police officers who cast a black eye on the profession are eradicated from the law enforcement community.

Desadier’s plea agreement detailed the events of that day, including his decision to kick the victim in the face after being mistaken about the body-worn camera. The FBI investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Flanagan and Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson prosecuted the case.

The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Brown, and Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division.

Desadier’s sentence serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability in law enforcement and the need for officers to uphold the principles of honesty and integrity.

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