Shevoy Brown, a former officer with the Hapeville Police Department, has been arraigned on charges of excessive force during an encounter with a detainee. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, Brown is accused of using a Taser on a handcuffed individual multiple times without justification.
Acting United States Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. stated that the indictment highlights behavior contrary to the professionalism and public service that police officers strive to uphold. The detainee had been arrested on June 3, 2024, for trespassing and was handcuffed to a bench in a cell when the incident occurred.
The FBI is involved in the case, stressing the right of arrested individuals to be treated humanely. FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown said, "People being held under arrest have the right to be treated humanely," in the U.S. Attorney's Office release. The FBI is working with local law enforcement to ensure civil rights are protected and hold those who abuse power accountable.
Brown, from Hampton, Georgia, was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 12, and arraigned before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard. In addition to excessive force, Brown faces an obstruction of justice charge for allegedly filing a false use of force report. The indictment includes serious charges, but the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brent Alan Gray and Bret R. Hobson are handling the prosecution. For more details, the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office can be contacted at [email protected] or (404) 581-6280. The investigation is being conducted by the FBI and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
