CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FLORIDA DETECTIVE CONVICTED OF CIVIL RIGHTS CHARGES IN BEATING OF JUVENILE SUSPECT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Justice Department today announced that a federal jury in Fort Meyers, Florida convicted Detective Corporal Wyatt Henderson of the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office for violating the civil rights of a juvenile and lying to conceal his actions.

“Police officers are vested with the public trust, not only to enforce, but to abide by the criminal laws,” said R. Alexander Acosta, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Today’s verdict underscores the Justice Department’s commitment that officers who abuse that trust will be held to account. This message will both strengthen the public’s trust in law enforcement and reinforce the rule of law.”

The charges arose from an undercover drug sting. Henderson and several undercover officers approached a juvenile suspect on suspicion that he was selling marijuana. The juvenile initially fled in a van, but stopped after a short chase. Henderson approached the van with his firearm drawn and ordered the juvenile to exit the vehicle, place his hands on his head and get on the ground. The juvenile complied, getting on his hands and knees without resistance. Henderson then proceeded to strike the juvenile in the face, knocking him to the ground. The blow fractured the juvenile’s jaw and the fall lacerated his chin, requiring six stitches. Afterwards, Henderson filed a false report regarding the incident and subsequently lied about the event to a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent investigating the matter.

Henderson faces a maximum sentence of 25 years of imprisonment. Trial attorneys from the Criminal Section of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted this case. The case was heard by a jury in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

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