No Criminal Action By Officers.
That is the finding of the Alabama Attorney General’s office after an investigation of the actions of a Cherokee County Sheriff’s Deputy during an arrest of two subjects at the Easy Street Bar and Restaurant in Centre on September 4th.
A video taken by witnesses to the incident, including the officers using force to subdue two subjects involved in a fight, circulated on social media afterwards. Leesburg Police Officer, Centre Police Officers and Cherokee County Sheriff deputies were involved in arresting and subduing the offenders.
In a statement issued by the Sheriff’s department after the incident, the department protocol is to do an internal investigation, call in an outside agency to conduct an investigation into the possible use of excessive force. After the investigation, the information collected including witness statements, video from body worn cameras and surveillance video was all submitted to the Attorney General’s office for review. After reviewing all evidence and applying Alabama State Law, the ruling was the officer’s actions were reasonable exercise of his duties under the totality of the circumstances and were not criminal.
The letter from the AG’s office stated due to no criminal action this case will not be presented to a grand jury for consideration. The investigation is complete and the AG’s Office is closing the file on this case.