ST. LOUIS, MO — A former police officer from Illinois has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for using excessive force against a handcuffed individual, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri announced on Thursday.
U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk handed down the sentence to Justin Gaither, 34, who served with the Venice Police Department at the time of the incident. Gaither pleaded guilty in February 2025 to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, admitting he violated the victim’s constitutional rights by using unreasonable force.
According to court documents, on November 20, 2022, Gaither was in uniform and on duty when he joined a vehicle pursuit involving a car displaying stolen license plates. After deploying spike strips, the vehicle crossed into St. Louis, where it was ultimately stopped in the 3800 block of Parnell Avenue. The occupants fled on foot and were pursued by Gaither, a Brooklyn, Illinois police officer, and the officer’s K-9 unit.
The suspect, bitten by the police dog while attempting to climb a fence, was apprehended and handcuffed by the Brooklyn officer. While escorting the suspect to a police vehicle, Gaither struck him twice in the face without provocation or legal justification, resulting in a broken nose.
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Krug.
“Law enforcement officers are entrusted to uphold the law and protect the rights of all individuals,” said U.S. Attorney’s Office officials. “When that trust is violated, and individuals are subjected to unlawful violence, our office will pursue justice without hesitation.”
Gaither’s actions were found to be a direct violation of the Fourth Amendment right to be free from the use of unreasonable force by law enforcement.
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