Brigette O. Robertson, a 40-year-old former special police officer from the District of Columbia, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for violating the constitutional rights of a detained individual by stomping on her face. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Robertson pleaded guilty on July 22, 2025, to a misdemeanor charge of deprivation of rights under color of law before U.S. District Judge Dabney L. Friedrich.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on June 24, 2023. At that time, Robertson was employed by Specific Protection Services, LLC as a Special Police Officer and was licensed in Washington, D.C., to perform law enforcement duties. While providing security at a McDonald’s restaurant on Minnesota Avenue NE, Robertson became involved in a verbal dispute with a patron that escalated into physical confrontation.
Metropolitan Police Department officers arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. After the patron was subdued and lying prone on the ground, Robertson stepped over her and stomped on her face. The action resulted in pain and bleeding for the patron and was found to have no legal justification.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office joined in announcing the sentencing.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office reviews incidents involving use of force by police officers to determine if there is enough evidence to establish violations of federal criminal civil rights laws or local law. Prosecutors must prove that an officer willfully used more force than necessary and acted with specific intent against what is permitted by law—a standard described as difficult to meet.
"The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to investigating allegations of excessive force by law enforcement officers and will continue to devote the resources necessary to ensure that all allegations of serious civil rights violations are investigated fully and completely," according to the office's statement.
The case was investigated by both the FBI Washington Field Office and Metropolitan Police Department Internal Affairs Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Truscott prosecuted the case for the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section.
