Former Capitol Police officer pleads not guilty to federal civil rights ...

4 hours ago

WLBT

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - A former Capitol Police officer is facing up to 10 years in prison after allegedly brutalizing a handcuffed suspect back in 2022.

Jeffrey Walker, 43, pleaded not guilty to one count of deprivation of civil rights under the color of law during his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on Wednesday.

Magistrate Judge Andrew Harris gave the former police officer a $10,000 unsecured bond.

According to court records, Walker slammed a handcuffed man’s head forcefully into the hood of his car and kicked him multiple times in the face and head after that man, identified as E.S., led him and three Jackson Police officers on a police chase.

The incident occurred on July 27, 2022. The pursuit began after E.S. refused to pull over for a traffic stop.

Court records indicate Walker and the three unnamed JPD officers pursued the suspect, with Walker eventually cutting off E.S. at an undisclosed location.

The chase ended after Walker crashed his unmarked vehicle into a tree. E.S.’s vehicle swerved into a nearby yard.

JPD officers allegedly pulled E.S. from the vehicle, put him on the ground, and handcuffed him. That’s when Walker “took control of E.S., grabbing [him] by the back of the neck, and proceeding to slam [his] head forcefully onto the hood of E.S.’s car,” court records state.

After that, Walker allegedly put E.S. back on the ground, where he kicked him multiple times in the face and head.

If convicted, Walker faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, and not more than three years of supervised release. He also must pay a $100 special assessment.

Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Bailey Martin told WLBT that Walker has not worked for the department since July 2023.

Meanwhile, she said Capitol Police did not have body cameras or vehicle cameras at the time of the alleged incident but have since equipped all officers with the devices.

MDPS also has established the MDPS Internal Affairs Division to investigate complaints of officer misconduct. That division reports directly to Commissioner Sean Tindell.

Said Martin, “Commissioner Sean Tindell has consistently emphasized the importance of holding officers accountable for their actions and fostering transparency within law enforcement agencies and the public.”

None of the Jackson Police officers on the scene were named in the indictment.

Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade, who did not become chief until June 1, 2023, said he had not been contacted about any officers in his department being under indictment and was not familiar with the incident in question.

For his part, Walker is currently working as a security guard.

Under the conditions of his bond, Walker will not be allowed to possess a gun or have a gun or ammunition in his home or vehicle or carry one while he is on the job.

He also will not be allowed to come into contact with the victim or witnesses in the case.

A trial has been scheduled for February 10, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate.

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