BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A former Alabama police officer is charged with violating the civil rights of an Indian man during a violent confrontation in February.
Former Madison police officer Eric Sloan Parker is charged with using unreasonable force that left Sureshbhai Patel hospitalized.
Federal prosecutors announced the charge Friday in Birmingham. A defense attorney says Parker will plead not guilty.
Patel was visiting relatives when police were called to a suburban neighborhood where he was walking Feb. 6.
The 57-year-old grandfather suffered injuries including partial paralysis when he was slammed face-first to the ground in a confrontation captured on video.
The 26-year-old Parker has since been fired and faces a state assault charge. Patel also has filed a civil lawsuit.