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Associated Press
CLARKSBURG, Va. (AP) — A West Virginia sheriff's deputy has been charged with federal civil rights violations after allegedly punching and pepper-spraying a suspect, the U.S. Department of Justice said Thursday. said to
Monongalia County Lieutenant Governor Lance Cretza, who was arrested on Thursday, is also accused of writing a false report about the January 2018 incident, the Justice Department said in a news release.
Cretza, 38, used excessive force by punching the suspect in the face and hitting his elbow. According to the indictment, the suspect was handcuffed and then beaten and pepper sprayed, injuring his body.
In his report, Kuretza alleged that the suspect used pepper spray before being handcuffed. The deputy director's report also did not include documentation of force used after the suspect was handcuffed.
Civil rights violations carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and tampering charges carry him with 20 years in prison.
Court documents did not indicate whether Crezza had an attorney available to comment on the charges.
The indictment did not detail the circumstances leading up to his arrest. The FBI is investigating the incident.
