CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A former Logan police officer faces up to 10 years in federal prison after being convicted this week for violating the civil rights of a man he had taken into custody.
A federal jury found Everett Maynard, 44, guilty of using excessive force in the arrest of the man identified in court documents as “R.W.”
According to the Department of Justice, the jury heard evidence that showed Maynard assaulted the victim in the bathroom of the Logan Police Department before dragging him into another room where he rammed the man’s head against a door frame.
According to testimony, the assault initially left the man unconscious. He also suffered a broken shoulder, a broken nose and a cut to his head that required staples.
U.S. Attorney for Southern West Virginia Will Thompson said Maynard abused his authority as a police officer and betrayed the public’s trust.
“While the overwhelming majority of law enforcement officers perform their duties with honor and professionalism, those who violate the rights of others will be held accountable,” Thompson said in a Thursday statement. “The prosecution of cases like this is important to my office, the citizens of West Virginia and the policing profession. I commend P.D. Clemens, the former Chief of the Logan Police Department who now serves as the Sheriff of Logan County, for quickly referring the matter to the West Virginia State Police and the FBI for independent investigation.”
Maynard is scheduled to be sentenced March 17, 2022. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.
U.S. District Judge Irene Berger presided over the trial that took place in U.S. District Court in Charleston.