A former Weymouth cop is facing a federal rap over accusations he pounded a suspect with a slew of punches, acting the U.S. Attorney's Office announced. Justin Chappell, 43, once sworn to protect, was charged Tuesday with a count smacking of civil rights infringement, accused of pummeling a man he was arresting on July 2, 2022, said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy.
The incident, outlined in charging papers, paints Chappell as a lawman turned lawbreaker, dealing about 13 blows with a closed fist to the handcuffed man, without any legal right, and his plea hearing's slated for April 11, 2024 in front of U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs though it's tough to fathom why Chappell thought it fit to mete out such merciless punishment, this according to the FBI.
"Members of law enforcement take an oath to serve and protect with professionalism and integrity. Today's court filings allege that Officer Chappell violated this solemn obligation," Levy stated, with a vow to keep such officers account-bound, as the announcement detailed. Jodi Cohen, the FBI's big gun in the Boston Division, echoed Levy's dismay, questioning Chappell's alleged resort to brute force. The FBI and the local police, who extended their full cooperation to the investigation, believe the former cop crossed a line, staining his badge and reputation.
The charge of deprivation of rights under color of law carries a heavy possible penalty of 10 years behind bars, 3 years of supervised release, plus a hit to the wallet of up to a quarter-million dollars in fines, but these figures will ultimately hinge on federal sentencing guidelines and statutes presented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Torey B. Cummings and Neil J. Gallagher Jr., who are spearheading this case and Chappell is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
