An indictment was revealed in the Southern District of Mississippi, charging former Mississippi State Capitol Police officer Jeffery Walker with felony deprivation of rights under color of law. According to court documents, Walker allegedly used excessive force against a handcuffed arrestee identified as E.S., involving dangerous weapons and causing bodily injury.
The incident occurred on July 27, 2022, when Walker attempted to initiate a traffic stop involving E.S., who did not comply and led Walker on a vehicle pursuit. Several Jackson Police Department officers followed until Walker cut off E.S., resulting in Walker crashing into a tree and E.S. swerving into a yard behind Walker's car. An assisting JPD officer handcuffed E.S. without issue. After taking control of the compliant and handcuffed E.S., Walker allegedly slammed his head into the hood of his car, put him on the ground, and kicked him in the head and face area, causing bodily injury.
If convicted, Walker faces up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee for the Southern District of Mississippi, and Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff of the FBI Jackson Field Office announced the charges.
The FBI Jackson Field Office is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda Haynes for the Southern District of Mississippi and Trial Attorney Eric Peffley of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting it.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.