CIVIL RIGHTS

Federal Officer Indicted for Kicking Man in the Head During Arrest

Accused of attacking him while he was face-down in handcuffs.

A Federal Protective Service officer was indicted Thursday on charges he kicked a suspect in the head while the man was face-down in handcuffs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles charged James Michael Rouswell, 46, with deprivation of rights under color of law. According to the press release, Rouswell was charged with “willfully depriving the victim of the right to be free from the use of unreasonable force.” The victim, only identified as C.S., was attacked outside a Social Security office in October 2016. If convicted, Rouswell could face as many as 10 years in federal prison. The Federal Protective Service operates under the Department of Homeland Security.