INDIANAPOLIS — A suspended IMPD officer learned his fate Friday for stomping a handcuffed man in the face during an arrest.
A judge sentenced Eric Huxley for violating Jermaine Vaughn's civil rights. Police body camera video showed Huxley stomp on Vaughn's face while he was on the ground and under arrest on Monument Circle two years ago.
Huxley pleaded guilty in May as part of a plea deal in federal court in his rights violation case. Huxley pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, with three years of supervised release after his release from prison.
Huxley was indicted by a grand jury in October 2022 on one count of deprivation of rights under color of law for his conduct during the Sept. 24, 2021, apprehension of Vaughn on Monument Circle.
Police responded to Monument Circle in September 2021 after a call for disorderly conduct. Court documents say Vaughn, who was experiencing homelessness, was being "loud and disorderly" and was asked to quiet down. When he didn't, officers arrested him.
IMPD video from the 2021 incident shows IMPD officers working to apprehend Vaughn. One of the officers held Vaughn's legs while the other handcuffed him. While Vaughn is on the ground, Huxley can be seen on body camera video kicking Vaughn in the face.
Friday, a judge sentenced the decorated 15-year IMPD veteran to one year and one day in federal prison and six months of monitored home detention.
The judge called Huxley's actions that day callous and brutal, and said it was obvious from police body cam video that Vaughn had a mental health issue. The judge told Huxley he was fortunate the injury to Vaughn wasn't more severe.
Huxley apologized to Vaughn, telling him he failed him that day and violated his oath as a police officer. He said he has thought about that moment countless times and would have regret and remorse the rest of his life.
Huxley's attorney asked for probation or home detention, but said his client accepted the sentence from the judge.
"Eric is and continues to be remorseful for his actions. He's accepting responsibility and will serve the sentence that's been handed down by the court," said attorney John Kautzman.
In court, the United States attorneys said with one stomp of a boot, Huxley shattered the community's trust with police. They called Huxley's actions a deliberate abuse of power and betrayal of the public trust.
The attorneys told the judge prison time for Huxley was necessary to send a message to other police officers that they would be held accountable if they violate a citizen's constitutional rights.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana Zachary Myers gave his thoughts on Huxley's sentence including prison time.
"If one civilian went to another who was defenseless and laying on the ground and stomped on his face, you would expect that that individual went to jail and to hold law enforcement to a lesser standard as opposed to a greater standard when they're the ones who've sworn to uphold someone's constitutional rights, that would be wrong," Myers said.
Huxley has 60 days to report to federal prison.
He told the court he plans to resign from IMPD. Huxley had been suspended without pay since the 2021 incident.
IMPD Chief Randal Taylor recommended Huxley's termination to the Civilian Police Merit Board, but now with Huxley's decision to resign from IMPD, the merit board hearing won't take place.
Huxley still faces battery and misconduct charges in state court. He's also named in a civil suit filed by Vaughn.
Vaughn has sued the city of Indianapolis, IMPD, Huxley and the other officers involved, in a civil case. He claims intentional battery, unlawful arrest, unlawful and excessive force, official misconduct, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress in that case, which is pending.
Vaughn's attorney had no comment on Friday's sentence.
IMPD released the following statement after Huxley's sentencing:
IMPD is aware that today Eric Huxley was sentenced on federal charges. This investigation was the culmination of an internal use of force investigation and criminal investigation.
When Chief Randal Taylor learned the facts of this incident, he ordered an immediate review by the Special Investigations Unit and by Internal Affairs.
Huxley remains suspended without pay. Chief Taylor has asked the Civilian Police Merit Board to terminate Huxley’s employment with the IMPD. His recommendation is still pending a determination by the board, which will happen after the criminal process is complete.
A criminal case remains open with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.