Former Alabama Sheriff's Deputy Gets Prison Time for Excessive Force

Former Elmore County Sheriff's Deputy Blake Hicks, 33, was sentenced yesterday to 29 months in federal prison for violating the civil rights of an arrestee. Hicks pleaded guilty in March to using unreasonable force against a man identified in court documents as “TQ.”

According to court records, the incident occurred in March 2022. TQ had been subdued by officers equipped with a Taser and handcuffed.

Hicks then punched and kicked TQ in the head while he was incapacitated on the ground. The assault resulted in a fractured cheekbone, concussion and lacerations for TQ.

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“These are serious responsibilities,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said in a press release. “The vast majority of law enforcement officers serve with honor. However, Deputy Hicks failed in his duty to protect and serve. This conviction holds him responsible for his actions.

The FBI investigated the matter and a security camera captured the incident. The images were later published by a local newspaper, The Wetumpka Herald. While an internal investigation cleared Wetumpka police officers of any wrongdoing, Hicks was placed on leave by the sheriff's department and later resigned.

Hicks faced a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. In addition to his prison sentence, he will have to serve three years of supervised release upon his release.

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