SANTA ANA, California – A retired Santa Ana Police officer was charged today by a federal grand jury that accused him of violating the civil rights of a man by using unreasonable force during an arrest and then lying about the incident in official reports, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Brian Patric Booker, 50, of Chino Hills, was named in an indictment that charges him with one felony count of deprivation of rights under color of law and two felony counts of falsification of records. He will be arraigned on the indictment on August 12 in United States District Court in Santa Ana.
According to the indictment, on June 19, 2014, Booker used unreasonable force in connection with the arrest of the victim. The victim was not resisting arrest.
Following the incident, Booker allegedly caused false police reports to be filed. Booker falsely claimed that the victim reached toward Booker and grabbed Booker by his right leg, the indictment alleges. Booker also falsely stated that he delivered three or four punches to the back of the victim’s head because he believed the victim was about to tackle him and possibly have access to Booker’s firearm, according to the indictment. Booker allegedly knew these statements were false when the reports were filed.
Booker retired from the Santa Ana Police Department last year after approximately 19 years of service.
If convicted of all counts, Booker would face a statutory maximum sentence of 60 years in federal prison.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Santa Ana Police Department cooperated fully with the FBI’s investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer L. Waier and Robert J. Keenan of the Santa Ana Branch Office.