PHOENIX — A former San Carlos Apache Police officer is facing up to 30 years in prison for allegations of beating a suspect unconscious.
The Office of the U.S. Attorney for Arizona and the FBI announced Wednesday the indictment of Jacob Christopher Slawson, 29.
Slawson is alleged to have struck in the face a handcuffed suspect already in custody, knocking the suspect unconscious. Slawson is also alleged to have allowed the suspect to fall to the ground when pulling the suspect out of a police vehicle, resulting in the suspect suffering head injuries.
He’s also accused of tampering with another officer’s report, after Slawson learned he was under investigation.
He was charged with deprivation of rights under color of law and falsification of records. If convicted on both charges, Slawson faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.
In a press release, the San Carlos Police Department said Slawson was terminated before the end of his probationary period “for unrelated policy violations.”
The San Carlos Police Department said it initiated the investigation into Slawson after learning of the allegations, and contacted the Bureau of Indian Affairs and FBI.
“(M)embers of the Department fully cooperated. Their cooperation helped lead to the charges filed against Slawson,” the San Carlos PD release states.
