CHICAGO (STNG) -- A former west suburban police sergeant was sentenced to one year in prison Wednesday for assaulting a man during a traffic stop in 2003, then falsifying the police report.
Former Forest Park Sgt. Michael Murphy was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David Coar to 12 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release and 200 hours of community service. He will also be required to pay a $1,000 fine, according to U.S. Attorney’s office spokesman Randall Samborn, who said Murphy must report to prison by Sept. 8.
Murphy, 42, of Aurora, was indicted in October 2007 on one count each of violation civil rights and obstruction of justice, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s office. He pleaded guilty in April, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice said.
The officer, who had been with the Forest Park Police Department since 1990, admitted that on Aug. 6, 2003, during a traffic stop, he sprayed a man in the face with pepper spray and then repeatedly struck him with an expandable baton. He also admitted to falsifying his report to conceal his use of excessive force, the DOJ release said.
The victim suffered multiple injuries during the assault, including a broken wrist.
Murphy had faced up to 10 years in prison on the civil rights violation count and up to 20 years for the obstruction count.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
