Mount Vernon Police Sergeant Pleads Guilty To Using Excessive Force On Handcuffed Man

Edward Y. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Mario Stewart, a Sergeant with the Mount Vernon Police Department (“MVPD”), pled guilty Friday to using excessive force against an individual (the “Victim”) while in Mount Vernon, New York, in violation of the Victim’s rights under the U.S. Constitution. Stewart pled guilty Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause. Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Y. Kim said: “Mario Stewart betrayed his duty as a Sergeant with the Mount Vernon Police Department. Stewart was called to the scene to aid a person in emotional distress. But instead of rendering aid, he deployed his taser on the individual seven times in the span of roughly two minutes, while the individual was helpless, and while several other MVPD officers were on scene to assist. This Office will fiercely protect constitutional rights and hold accountable those who abuse their authority to violate those rights.” According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and statements made in court:On or about March 26, 2019, Stewart was employed as a Sergeant with the Mount Vernon Police Department. Stewart was assigned to the MVPD’s Emergency Services Unit, which is responsible for,...