Former Georgia Detention Officer Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Violation for Strangling Female Detainee

A former detention officer with the Fulton County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office pleaded guilty Tuesday to violating a detainee’s civil rights by using excessive force while booking her into a Fulton County detention facility.

Monique Clark, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law.

“This defendant wrapped his hands around the throat of a handcuffed woman and strangled her into unconsciousness while she was being booked into the Fulton County Jail system,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This conduct was cruel, abusive and violated Fulton County Sheriff’s office policies that clearly restrict use of chokeholds and neck restraints. The Justice Department will prosecute officials who violate the civil rights of people held in our jails and prisons by using excessive or deadly force.”

“Clark’s conduct in abusing a handcuffed inmate by strangling her is reprehensible,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia. “Thankfully, Clark’s actions do not reflect the diligence and seriousness with which the majority of detention officers fulfill their roles each day in helping to secure our jails and protect the welfare of detainees.”

“By violating his sworn oath as a detention officer to protect people, Clark betrayed every honest, hardworking officer, and crossed the line to criminal behavior,” said Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley of the FBI Atlanta Field Office. “Let this plea be a reminder that the abuse of inmates by prison staff will not be tolerated by the FBI and will always be pursued for prosecution.”

According to court documents, the victim was arrested by officers of the Alpharetta, Georgia, Police Department and brought to the Fulton County North Annex Jail, where Clark was working as a detention officer. While the victim was being booked into the jail, Clark placed his hands around her neck and choked her until she lost consciousness. At the time that Clark choked the victim, the victim was handcuffed and posed no threat to officers or anyone else. As Clark was aware, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office policy prohibited officers from using chokeholds and neck restraints except in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. Clark faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Atlanta Field Office and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office’s Office of Professional Standards investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bret Hobson for the Northern District of Georgia and Trial Attorney Alec Ward of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.