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Four St. Louis Metropolitan Police officers were indicted by the federal government for allegedly lying to the FBI and using excessive force against a police officer. police officer in plain clothes during a demonstration.
UNITED STATES OF TODAY

Police pursue vandals as protesters march past the verdict of not guilty pronounced at the conclusion of the trial of Jason Stockley, former police officer of St. Louis, Sunday, 2017, in St. Louis. Stockley was acquitted during the murder of a black man in 2011 as a result of a high speed chase. (AP Photo / Jeff Roberson) ORG XMIT: MOJR (Photo: Jeff Roberson, AP)

A group of police officers from St. Louis hoped to use unjustified force against protesters in the fall of 2017,

The charges launched Thursday by the federal government against police officers of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police stem from a period of racist agitation in the city following September. April 15, 2017, the acquittal of former police officer Jason Stockley, Caucasian, following the death of a black man, Anthony Lamar Smith.

Some of the indicted police are accused of injuring a 22-year-old former police officer who was working. in position of infiltration during the demonstrations. The officer was recording and documenting criminal activities so that other officers could legally arrest individuals who were committing crimes.

Three officers are accused of throwing the undercover officer to the ground and kicking him, even though he was docile and did not physically threaten.

The officers also reportedly texting their intention to harass protesters.

"We are going to hit," Christopher Myers wrote, citing the prosecution documents.

Dustin Boone is quoted extensively in the newspaper. documents:

  • "It's always a pleasure to beat the people who deserve it."
  • "We really need these —— s to start playing so we can have fun."
  • "It's going to be IGNORANT tonight, but it's going to be a lot of fun to beat the hell out of those ——– once the sun goes down and nobody can tell us apart !!!! "

Another officer advised Boone "to have an old white guy as a witness" because there were cameras in the area. "Feeling dishonest is good," Randy Hays wrote.

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Agents Boone, Hays and Myers have all been accused of using "unreasonable force". A fourth officer, Bailey Colletta, is accused of joining with them in an attempt to conceal the crime.

The city says the four officers were suspended without pay.

Some activists say that the messages cited in court documents provide insight.

"The SMS confirms our suspicions that these officers would have used the anonymity of their SWAT uniforms (…) to be able to beat the citizens with impunity," said lawyer Javad Khazaeli. His law firm has prosecuted the police on behalf of nearly two dozen people arrested during protests.

Reverend Darryl Gray, a black activist who staged many protests in Stockley, expressed similar views about the attitude of officers: they will demonstrate their aggression, they will simulate their violence, they will manifest their disregard for the law, civil liberties and the rights of the people. "

Chief of Police John Hayden disputes this belief in a statement., Stating that the ministry was fully cooperating with the investigation:" I am deeply disappointed with the actions alleged against these officers; however, this does not reflect the hard work and dedication of the men and women of our department who serve the community on a daily basis with integrity and honor. "

Contribution: KSDK-TV; The Associated Press

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