IMPD sergeant who kicked man in face during arrest enters another guilty plea
An Indianapolis police officer who was recorded on body camera footage kicking an arrested man in the face is pleading guilty to a battery charge in Marion County.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Sgt. Eric Huxley's plea agreement, submitted Monday, comes a month and a half after a federal court sentenced him to a year in prison for the same act of aggression.
As part of the plea agreement, Huxley and a county prosecutor have agreed to a 180-day executed jail sentence for a level 6 felony of battery resulting in moderate bodily injury. That sentence would run alongside his federal sentence of a year and 1 day imprisonment plus two years of supervised release, meaning Huxley won't do any additional jail time.
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When reached by IndyStar, Huxley's attorney John Kautzman declined to comment.
The agreement also stipulates that Huxley's other charge, a level 6 felony of official misconduct, gets dismissed.
Marion Superior Judge Jose Salinas must accept the agreement for it to take effect. No sentencing date has been scheduled as of early Tuesday.
Police Chief Randal Taylor has asked the Civilian Police Merit Board to fire Huxley but the board will only decide that request once his criminal proceedings wrap up.
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Huxley's attorney said during his September sentencing in federal court he would soon resign from IMPD, but a police spokesperson told IndyStar on Tuesday his status is the same now as it was then: suspended without pay.
A letter of resignation from Huxley "would be accepted," the spokesperson said, but added that they "do not have information" on whether a letter was submitted.
Arrest at Monument Circle turns violent
Huxley was indicted in federal Southern District of Indiana court and charged in Marion County court after a disorderly conduct arrest in downtown Indianapolis on Sept. 24, 2021, turned violent.
Body camera footage released by IMPD shows a handcuffed man named Jermaine Vaughn falling on his back near the steps at Monument Circle during his interaction with police. Moments later, Huxley is seen stomping his foot down on Vaughn's face.
The attack took place after Vaughn began insulting one of the arresting officers as police searched his pockets and tried to remove his belt. Vaughn was charged with misdemeanors of disorderly conduct and resisting law enforcement, but both were dismissed.
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His charge in federal court was a felony of deprivation of rights under color of law. Huxley pleaded guilty in that case, too.
Vaughn wasn't present at Huxley's federal sentencing hearing in September, but Huxley had a message for him: "I failed you that day," he told the court. The 14-year police veteran added that he thinks about what he did every day.
Vaughn has sued Huxley, the City of Indianapolis, IMPD and the other officers involved in his arrest in Marion County court. He's asking to be financially compensated for a string of claims, including intentional battery, unlawful and excessive force, official misconduct and negligence.
That lawsuit is pending.
Call IndyStar courts reporter Johnny Magdaleno at 317-273-3188 or email him at jmagdaleno@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @IndyStarJohnny
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Officer Eric Huxley enters another guilty plea for kicking man in face
