From [HERE] and [HERE] A former north Louisiana police officer pleaded guilty Friday to kicking a man in the face as he lay on the ground with his hands behind his back during an arrest in 2020, federal prosecutors said.

Jared Desadier, 44, of Monroe, entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Foote to a charge of deprivation of rights under color of law, U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown's office said in a news release.

At the time, Desadier was an officer with the Monroe Police Department. Authorities said Desadier and other officers detained a man for questioning and found he was carrying drug paraphernalia. The man ran and officers pursued him. Another officer caught up with the man and ordered him to the ground. The man complied and as the officer prepared to handcuff him, Desadier ran up on them and kicked the man in the face, authorities said.

Desadier admitted in court that his assault was without justification, as the man did not present a threat to any officer or other person on the scene, Brown's office said. Desadier also admitted that he knew that his actions were unjustified and unreasonable under the circumstances.

“Instead of lawfully carrying out his sworn duties as a law enforcement officer, Desadier abused his authority by assaulting and injuring an arrestee who was not a threat,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute any officer who abuses the public trust by using excessive force without basis.”

Desadier faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is set for Nov. 21. The terms of his plea were not shared by the media.

Jared P. Desadier was accused of malfeasance in office and second-degree battery following the April 2020 encounter with Williams.  Body cam footage shows that Desadier was one of several law enforcement officers on the scene the night they encountered Williams. Desadier was arrested in July that same year and resigned a short time later. He had previously entered a plea of not guilty.

Williams says he ran from police while being searched because he was afraid but later surrendered by putting his hands in the air and laying on his stomach. Williams says he was handcuffed, punched, and kicked by at least two officers.

In a statement sent to KNOE. Williams’ attorneys expressed disappointment that other officers on the scene that night have not been charged. A federal lawsuit was also filed in this case. You can read the full release below.

Over the past year, the Monroe Police Department has been under federal investigation due to the brutal and senseless beating of Mr. Timothy Williams, whereby Mr. Williams still suffers effects from that inhumane treatment today. This has been a long journey, and Mr. Williams is still fighting for justice. We will continue in our endeavors to end this nightmare for Mr. Williams, other police brutality victims and the families of those who are still impacted by these traumatic and irreparable incidents that continually plagues them.

It saddens Mr. Williams, the impacted families, and community to know that the other Monroe Police Officers who were on the scene on that night have not yet been charged. These officers conspired to cover up this incident and should be held accountable. However, we will remain hopeful that justice will prevail. [MORE]