USDOJ Press Release: Ex-Deputy Sheriff Convicted of Assaulting Handcuffed Man Lying on the Ground

Former Russell County, Alabama Sheriff’s Deputy Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Charge for Assaulting a Handcuffed Man

U.S. Department of Justice August 11, 2011

Office of Public Affairs (202) 514-2007/TDD (202) 514-1888

WASHINGTON—The Justice Department announced today that Kirby Dollar, 37, a former detective with the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, pleaded guilty in federal court in Montgomery, Ala., for his role in the assault of a handcuffed man.

According to the information presented in court, on Nov. 26, 2010, Dollar participated in the assault of a man who was in custody. At the time, the victim was handcuffed, lying on the ground, and not resisting. The victim suffered serious bodily injury.

“Law enforcement officers are granted a great amount of power to carry out their critical public safety responsibilities. They cannot be allowed to abuse that power to violate the rights of individuals in their custody,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute those who cross the line to engage in acts of criminal misconduct.”

“This office will aggressively prosecute those who use their law enforcement powers to violate the civil rights of others while in their custody. I applaud the FBI and Alabama Bureau of Investigation for their prompt and thorough investigation of this matter,” said George L. Beck Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.

“The FBI’s resources will always be devoted to ensure that civil rights protections are afforded to all citizens, said Lewis M. Chapman, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Mobile, Ala., Field Office. “The public must have trust in those who enforce the law.”

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Dollar faces a maximum sentence of 57 months in prison.

The trial against Dollar’s co-defendant, Timothy Watford, is scheduled to begin on Aug. 22, 2011. Watford is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case was investigated by the Mobile Division of the FBI and the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan D. Stump and Jared H. Morris of the Middle District of Alabama, and Trial Attorney Benjamin J. Hawk of the Civil Rights Division.