Former Elmore County Sheriff’s Deputy Blake Hicks, 33, was sentenced to 29 months in federal prison yesterday for violating the civil rights of an arrestee. Hicks pleaded guilty in March to using unreasonable force against a man identified in court documents as “T.Q.”
According to court filings, the incident occurred in March 2022. T.Q. had been subdued by officers with a taser and placed in handcuffs.
Hicks then proceeded to punch and kick T.Q. in the head while he was incapacitated on the ground. The assault resulted in a broken cheekbone, concussion, and lacerations for T.Q.
“These are serious responsibilities,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division in a press release. “The vast majority of law enforcement officers serve with honor. However, Deputy Hicks failed in his duty to protect and serve. This sentence holds him accountable for his actions.”
The FBI investigated the case, and a security camera captured the incident on video. The footage was later published by a local newspaper, The Wetumpka Herald. While an internal investigation cleared the responding Wetumpka police officers of wrongdoing, Hicks was placed on leave by the Sheriff’s department and subsequently resigned.
Hicks faced a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. In addition to his prison term, he will be required to serve three years of supervised release upon his release.
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