A Camden County Sheriff’s Office sergeant is facing serious charges after a federal grand jury indicted him on multiple counts of civil rights violations and making false reports. The sergeant, identified as Buck William Aldridge, is accused of utilizing excessive force during arrests in four separate incidents, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
According to the indictment, which handed down the thirteen counts against Aldridge, claims that while serving as a deputy with the Camden County Sheriff’s Office, he not only imposed undue force upon those arrested but then proceeded to prepare various misleading reports to justify the abuse of power. Charged with both deprivation of rights under color of law and falsifying records, Aldridge, who hails from St. Mary’s Georgia, could be looking at a substantial time behind bars if found guilty. Each federal civil rights violation carries a potential sentence of 10 years in prison, with the false report charges maxing out at 20 years each.
In response to the indictments, “Law enforcement officers are entrusted with the authority to uphold the law—not to break it. When that trust is violated, the FBI will act. No badge puts anyone above the Constitution,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown, concurring with the sentiment that no officer is exempt from the law, reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. The FBI remains devoted to probing civil rights infringements and will hold those who exploit their position accountable. Aldridge, who is still presumed innocent until proven guilty, awaits the possibility that a judge will issue a sentence reflecting the ridged advice of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines along with other statutory factors.
Overseeing the investigation into these serious allegations is the FBI’s Brunswick Field Office, with the prosecution being handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia. As stated by Acting U.S. Attorney Tara M. Lyons, the authority law enforcement officers possess is to enforce the law, not to sidestep it. Further inquiries can be directed to the U.S. Attorney's Office at (912) 652-4422.
