According to an indictment unsealed Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Justice, a former Mississippi State Capitol Police Flex Unit officer has officially been charged with felony excessive force against a handcuffed arrestee.
In the indictment, Jeffery Walker is charged with the crime against the victim, identified as “E.S.”, including the use of dangerous weapons and force resulting in bodily injury.
Court documents say that on July 27, 2022, Walker, driving in an unmarked police car, attempted to stop E.S., who failed to adhere to the traffic stop and led Walker on a pursuit. Multiple Jackson Police Department officers followed behind the chase until Walker was able to cut E.S. off, resulting in Walker running into a tree and E.S. swerving into a nearby yard.
An assisting JPD officer removed E.S. from the car and handcuffed him without incident. But shortly after taking control of E.S. while he was handcuffed, Walker allegedly slammed E.S.’ head into the hood of a car, forced him to the ground, and kicked him in the head and face. E.S. was injured as a result of the force.
On Wednesday, Walker pleaded not guilty to one count of deprivation of civil rights under the color of law during his initial appearance in U.S. District Court. He was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond.
The former law enforcement officer now faces a maximum penalty of 10 years behind bars if convicted of the crimes. A federal district court judge would then determine Walker’s sentence after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The FBI Jackson Field Office is investigating the case, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda Haynes for the Southern District of Mississippi and Trial Attorney Eric Peffley of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.
Walker was one of two Capitol Police officers named in a 2023 lawsuit that also accused him of improper use of force. Sherita Harris sought $3 million in damages from Walker and Michael Rhinewalt for a gunshot wound she received to the head during an officer-involved shooting in August of 2022.
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety established the MDPS Internal Affairs Division in April of 2024 for the purpose of investigation complaints of officer misconduct in the state, reporting to Commissioner Sean Tindell.
In a statement, MDPS said: “Commissioner Sean Tindell has consistently emphasized the importance of holding officers accountable for their actions and fostering transparency within law enforcement agencies and the public.”
The Capital Complex Improvement District (CCID) was formed in 2017, and a 2023 House Bill expanded the district despite public pushback from Jackson leaders. Accompanying legislation also created an inferior court within the CCID, though the creation of the court has not begun operations.