Former Washington, D.C. Metro Transit Police Officer Found Guilty of Civil Rights Violation for Using Excessive Force

A jury within the District of Columbia discovered former D.C. Metro Transit Police Officer Andra Vance, 48, responsible at present of a civil rights violation for his illegal beating of an unarmed transit rider with a metallic baton with out authorized justification on Feb. 16, 2018.

In 2019, a federal grand jury within the District of Columbia returned a two-count indictment alleging that Vance violated the civil rights of a sufferer recognized in court docket paperwork as “D.C.” D.C.’s civil rights by placing after which choking D.C. with a metallic baton. Vance was discovered responsible of 1 depend of deprivation of rights involving the beating and acquitted of the second cost alleging the choking.  

Through the week-long trial, the federal government launched proof that the sufferer, D.C., tried to make use of an invalid Metro card to board a prepare on the Anacostia Metro station. When the cardboard was confiscated by Metro Transit personnel, D.C. turned indignant. As D.C. complained to Vance, Vance used his metallic baton to hit D.C. within the head. As D.C. fled, Vance chased D.C. from the Metro station and continued placing D.C. within the head and neck space. D.C. fell to the bottom and Vance climbed on high of D.C., put the metallic baton to his neck, and pressed down as D.C. bled onto the sidewalk under. A fellow officer helped to handcuff D.C. and was current when medical personnel responded to deal with D.C. for his accidents. At the very least one fellow officer who witnessed the assault testified that D.C. was not a risk to Vance or anybody else on the Anacostia Metro station.

“Individuals within the District of Columbia have the suitable to be free from extreme pressure by the hands of regulation enforcement, and that features transit officers working for the D.C. Metro,” mentioned Assistant Lawyer Common Kristen Clarke of the Justice Division’s Civil Rights Division. “The division will proceed to aggressively prosecute any regulation enforcement officer who willfully violates the civil rights of our neighborhood members.”

“As members of regulation enforcement, it’s our sworn obligation to uphold the regulation,” mentioned Matthew M. Graves, U.S. Lawyer for the District of Columbia. “Against the law like this betrays that obligation and the badge with which the defendant was entrusted. When officers violate the civil rights of District residents by unreasonable and unjustified violence, we are going to maintain them accountable.”

“Our dedication to transparency is vital in our efforts to assist and construct belief with the communities we serve,” mentioned Chief Michael Anzallo of the Metro Transit Police Division. “We worth our accomplice businesses and recognize the chance to carry this former officer accountable for his actions.”

Sentencing has been set for March 10, 2023. Vance faces a most statutory penalty of 10 years in jail and a superb as much as $250,000.

Assistant Lawyer Common Clarke, U.S. Lawyer Graves and Chief Anzallo made the announcement.

Trial Lawyer Maura White of the Justice Division’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Lawyer Gauri Gopal for the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace for the District of Columbia prosecuted the case.