Arkansas Deputy Pleads Guilty After Brutal Beating Caught on Video
An Arkansas sheriff’s deputy filmed brutally beating a man pleaded guilty to federal civil rights offenses on Friday. Levi White, 34, is now in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service, according to the court docket. He faces up to 10 years in prison after changing his plea three weeks before his federal trial. The charge stems from an incident on Aug. 21, 2022, when White tracked down 27-year-old Randal Worcester at a local gas station in Mulberry.
The Incident: Sheriff’s Deputy Pleads Guilty to Federal Civil Rights Offenses
Law enforcement officers wanted to speak with Worcester amid allegations he threatened a gas station attendant earlier in the day. White was joined by a fellow Crawford County Sheriff’s Office deputy, Zachary King, and Officer Thell Riddle of the Mulberry Police Department. In an application for a search warrant seeking White’s cell phone, agents with the FBI allege that Riddle’s dash cam recorded the three men speaking with Worcester for a little over three minutes without incident.
The Violent Encounter: Cell Phone Footage Reveals Shocking Details
The dash cam video then shows Worcester stand up quickly and tackle White after he allegedly tried to grab him by the neck. The FBI described the events recorded on a cell phone video in their search warrant. The video captures White brutally assaulting Worcester while he was lying on the ground, with King taking part in the violence as well.
Legal Consequences: Guilty Pleas and Federal Charges
The cell phone video taken that day was posted to social media, where it quickly racked up millions of views. It did not take long for the video to also grab the attention of both state and federal agencies, who opened up investigations into the incident within 24 hours. In January 2023, a grand jury indicted both White and King on a charge of deprivation of rights under color of law, stating that the two “struck R.W. multiple times while R.W. was lying on the ground,” in violation of his rights.
Justice Served: Maximum Penalties for Civil Rights Offenses
King, like White, entered a guilty plea to a federal civil rights offense on Friday ahead of his trial. White now faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, while King faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $100,000. U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes and Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Corder condemned the officers’ actions and emphasized the need for justice in civil rights cases.
Aftermath: Officers Fired, Victim Pursues Legal Action
Lawyers for Worcester, King, and White did not return requests for comment. The two men were initially suspended and then fired from their jobs in the wake of the incident. Worcester is suing both men, claiming he is a victim of police brutality. Worcester faces multiple charges in connection to the incident but has pleaded not guilty. His next hearing is scheduled for June.
Conclusion
The case of the Arkansas sheriff’s deputy’s brutal beating serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding civil rights and accountability in law enforcement. The guilty pleas and federal charges against the officers highlight the consequences of using excessive force. As the legal proceedings continue, the pursuit of justice remains paramount in cases involving the violation of civil rights.