WASHINGTON – Nathan Davis, 30, of Baton Rouge, La., was indicted by a federal grand jury on one-count of deprivation of rights under color of law, the Justice Department announced today.
The indictment alleges that, on or about March 4, 2007, Davis, then a police officer with the Baton Rouge Police Department, assaulted an individual, identified in the indictment as "B.T.", by pepper-spraying him and kicking him without justification, resulting in bodily injury. Davis willfully deprived B.T. of his right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.
If convicted, Davis faces a term of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both.
This matter was investigated jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Baton Rouge Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Kathleen Monaghan, with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Piedrahita, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana.
An indictment is merely an allegation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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