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Defendant Pleads Guilty to Excessive Force in Mississippi
A former Mississippi Bureau of Investigations Officer has pleaded guilty to using excessive force against a handcuffed arrestee, Grimy Times has learned.
John Winstead, a former officer assigned to the U.S. Marshals’ Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, admitted to willfully depriving arrestee K.K.H. of the Fourth Amendment right to be free from objectively unreasonable force.
According to court documents and evidence presented in court, on Sept. 16, 2021, Winstead struck K.K.H. forcefully in the face, knocking him to the ground. The victim was already handcuffed and being escorted safely by another officer at the time of the incident.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division is committed to holding accountable officers who violate civil and constitutional rights. ‘Law enforcement officials in our country are entrusted with the responsibility to protect and serve communities, not to exploit and abuse them,’ said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date, with Winstead facing a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is a priority for the Justice Department, with U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Gathe commending local and federal partners for ensuring a fair and equitable resolution.
Winstead’s actions are a stark reminder of the importance of holding law enforcement accountable for their actions. ‘We trust law enforcement officers to carry out their duties honorably and with integrity,’ said Special Agent in Charge Eric R. Fehlman of the Office of the Inspector General Southeast Region. ‘Winstead did just the opposite by using excessive force on a handcuffed arrestee.’
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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