ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) — A former Louisiana law enforcement officer has pleaded guilty to assaulting an inmate at the Iberia Parish Jail.
U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook, in a news release, says 38-year-old former Sgt. David Prejean (PRAY-jawn) entered the plea Wednesday. Federal authorities say Prejean ordered his K-9 officer to bite the inmate and he struck the man — all without justification — on Dec. 6, 2012 during a shakedown at the jail.
Authorities say Prejean’s “unlawful use of force” resulted in an injury to the inmate.
Following the assault, Prejean also wrote a false report designed to cover up his actions.
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Prejean, of Lafayette, will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on May 18. The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not indicate what penalty range Prejean faced.