COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jeremy C. Mooney, a former deputy of the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, has been found guilty in a federal court trial after a two-day jury trial in Columbus. Mooney, 49, faced charges related to civil rights violations stemming from his use of excessive force during his employment with the sheriff’s office.
The trial followed an incident that occurred on November 18, 2019, when Mooney and another deputy, William Stansberry, Jr., were involved in violating the constitutional rights of Thomas Friend, a 27-year-old inmate at the Pike County Sheriff’s Office. The federal grand jury indictment, which was unsealed last week, outlined Mooney’s use of force against the restrained victim.
According to the indictment, Mooney deployed pepper spray and physically assaulted Friend, who was restrained and not posing a threat at the time. The indictment further stated that Mooney’s use of force involved a dangerous weapon and resulted in bodily injury to the victim.
Stansberry, who held a supervisory position within the sheriff’s office, was charged with failing to intervene and prevent Mooney’s use of unreasonable force. Despite having the opportunity to intervene and being aware of Mooney’s actions, Stansberry allegedly did not take any action to stop the excessive force being used against Friend.
The incident was captured on video footage from the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, clearly showing Mooney’s attacks on Friend while he was restrained in a chair. The video displayed the victim being pepper-sprayed and then punched multiple times by Mooney, resulting in the victim falling backward in the restraint chair.
Former Sheriff Jim Nelson, who was in charge at the time of the incident, revealed that the altercation escalated from Friend’s disorderly conduct and spitting on fellow inmates. Friend was restrained due to his behavior. The incident led to Mooney’s resignation when it came to the attention of the interim sheriff.
Stansberry, who was present during the attacks and did not intervene, received a two-week suspension and was demoted to corporal. He took a plea deal to testify against Mooney at the trial this week in exchange for a reduced sentence, however, prosecutors have not revealed what the deal was.
The case was initially investigated by the FBI after Nelson referred it to them for further examination. The subsequent trial ended with Mooney’s conviction for his role in the incident. Mooney faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment. His sentencing is set for a later date.
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