A federal grand jury has indicted Buck William Aldridge, a sergeant with the Camden County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, on thirteen counts related to civil rights violations and falsifying records. The indictment alleges that Aldridge used excessive force against arrestees on four occasions while serving as a deputy sheriff and submitted multiple misleading reports to justify his actions.
The charges were announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Tara M. Lyons for the Southern District of Georgia and FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. The FBI’s Brunswick Field Office is conducting the investigation, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Aldridge could face up to 10 years in prison for each civil rights violation count and up to 20 years for each false report. Sentencing would be determined by a federal judge after consideration of relevant guidelines and statutory factors.
“Law enforcement officers are entrusted with the authority to uphold the law—not to break it. When that trust is violated, the FBI will act. No badge puts anyone above the Constitution,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “We remain committed to investigating civil rights violations and holding accountable those who abuse their power.”
Authorities emphasized that an indictment is an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
