A former Memphis Police Department (MPD) officer faces up to 10 years in prison for assaulting and injuring a man who was in custody, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced.
Armando Bustamante pleaded guilty on Feb. 14 in federal court in the Western District of Tennessee to the felony count of "deprivation of rights under color of law," the DOJ reports in the announcement. Bustamante admitted that he "struck a man in the head using his service weapon and his hands, without legal justification," in the January 2021 attack, causing "bodily injury to the man."
“This plea is the result of the efforts of law enforcement to ensure that any officer who violates the civil rights of those they are sworn to protect is brought to justice,” Douglas DePodesta, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) acting Special Agent in Charge in Memphis, said in the report. “The FBI is committed to protecting the civil rights of all people and wearing a badge does not make one above the law."
In addition to the maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, Bustamante faces three years of supervised release. A sentencing date has been set for June 15, according to the report.
“The United States cares deeply about violations of civil rights, here in Memphis and throughout America,” U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz said in the report.
“The overwhelming majority of police officers do their jobs honorably and lawfully," Ritz said. "As this case shows, we will not hesitate to hold those who violate civil rights laws to account.”
