As reported by Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown of the Western District of Louisiana, and Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams of the FBI New Orleans Field Office, Jared Preston Desadier, 44, of Monroe, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to a charge of deprivation of rights under colour of law.
According to the evidence that was brought before the court, Desadier, who was at the time a uniformed officer with the Monroe Police Department (MPD), kicked an arrestee in the face on or around the evening of April 21, 2020.
Soon after midnight, MPD police heard an alarm system go off, and Desadier and other officers apprehended a guy to ask him about the event. The man fled the scene after cops noticed drug paraphernalia on him, and they pursued him.
A patrolling MPD officer caught up to the individual and told him to get to the ground about a block away. In order to comply, the man positioned his hands behind his back while lying flat on his stomach. Desadier went up to the incident and kicked the man in the face as he lay face-down on the ground with both hands behind his back as that cop came and prepared to handcuff the man.
Desadier acknowledged in court that his attack on the victim was unjustified since the man did not pose a threat to any on-scene law enforcement officials or other bystanders. Desadier also acknowledged that, at the time of his conduct, he was aware that they were improper and unreasonable given the situation.
“Instead of lawfully carrying out his sworn duties as a law enforcement officer, Desadier abused his authority by assaulting and injuring an arrestee who was not a threat,” said Assistant Attorney General Clarke. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute any officer who abuses the public trust by using excessive force without basis.”
“I applaud our local, law-abiding police officers for their service to our respective communities,” said U.S. Attorney Brown. “Unfortunately, there are a few police officers who cannot be described as law-abiding. When police officers commit crimes in violation of federal criminal civil rights statutes that can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt in a federal court of law, we will prosecute those officers zealously and without hesitation. The actions of this officer are inexcusable, violate public trust in law enforcement and he must be held accountable. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to enforcing the rule of law and protecting the civil rights of all persons present within the Western District of Louisiana, with a goal of restoring and building the public’s trust in local, state and federal law enforcement.”
“The preservation of civil rights and the investigation of color of law violations are of utmost priority for the FBI,” said Special Agent in Charge Williams Jr. “Today’s guilty plea sends a clear message that individuals like Jared Preston Desadier will be held responsible and no one is above the law. We thank our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana and Department of Justice Civil Rights Division for their strong partnership and dedication to protecting the civil rights of every citizen.”
Desadier could receive a punishment of up to $250k in fines, three years of supervised release, and a maximum jail term of ten years. Nov. 21 has been set aside for his sentencing.
Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian C. Flanagan and Mary J. Mudrick are prosecuting the case, which was the subject of an FBI investigation.