Louis Brown, III, a former sergeant with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, was arraigned on May 15 on federal charges of using excessive force against a pretrial detainee at the Fulton County Courthouse.
The case highlights concerns about law enforcement accountability and public trust. Prosecutors allege that Brown assaulted a handcuffed detainee and instructed other deputies to turn off their body-worn cameras before the incident. One camera still recorded the alleged assault.
“The overwhelming majority of law enforcement officers serve their communities with integrity and professionalism every day,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “But when an officer allegedly violates the constitutional rights of a person in their custody, it undermines public trust and the oath they swore to uphold. The FBI remains committed to working to ensure anyone who abuses a position of authority is held accountable under the law.”
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said, “Brown allegedly betrayed his badge by punching a handcuffed detainee without justification and by directing his subordinates to turn off their body-worn cameras to try to get away with his crime. To maintain the public’s faith in our justice system, sworn officers who abuse their positions of trust must be held accountable.” Hertzberg leads an office that prioritizes prosecution of threats such as terrorism, human trafficking and civil rights violations; enforces federal criminal laws; represents the United States in civil matters; collaborates with law enforcement agencies; serves as principal federal law enforcement agency for north Georgia’s 7.5 million residents; and coordinates cases with national or international dimensions, according to the official website.
According to information provided in court records and publicly available sources cited by Hertzberg, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office policy requires officers only use objectively reasonable force after considering whether there is an immediate threat or active resistance from subjects. The policy forbids force against compliant individuals consistent with U.S. constitutional standards.
Brown was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 12 for depriving a person of civil rights under color of law after he allegedly punched and slapped a compliant detainee multiple times while serving at the courthouse on June 4 last year.
Members of the public are reminded that indictments contain only charges: “The defendant is presumed innocent, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.” The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brent Alan Gray and Dwayne A. Brown Jr.
