Two sheriff’s deputies pleaded guilty to violating a man’s federal civil rights for using excessive force on a suspect they had contained, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Arkansas. The incident occurred on Aug. 21, 2022, and involved Crawford County Sheriff’s Deputy Zackary King and Deputy Levi White. They were responding a call about a man who had been threatening toward a clerk at Kountry Xpress gas station. King and White arrived and found the suspect, Randal Worcester II, sitting on a curb, according to the plea agreement. Worcester reportedly cooperated with the deputies at first, giving them a razor blade he had on him. King walked away, but then Worcester allegedly lunged at White and tackled him. King, White, and another police officer were able to pin Worcester to the ground. With Worcester subdued, King kneed Worcester in the legs several times. King then kicked Worcester in back and punched him in the midsection, despite the fact that he was subdued, according to prosecutors. “These uses of force were unreasonable and unnecessary,” prosecutors wrote. Meanwhile, White punched Worcester “at least 9 times in the head” and then lifted the suspect’s head and “slammed it in the pavement.” King told a woman who was filming the incident to “back the f— up,” prosecutors said. (…) A sentencing date has yet to be set for the two former cops. White faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of probation, and a $250,000 fine. King faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $100,000.
tvia lawandccrime: 2 cops plead guilty to punching, kicking and bashing subdued man’s head against the pavement