Former Alabama Police Sergeant Sentenced for Civil Rights Violation

Ryan Phillips received a 16-month federal prison sentence for assaulting a jailed man in 2022, violating his civil rights.

Ryan Phillips, a former sergeant with the Daleville Police Department, pleaded guilty to using excessive force against an arrestee in March 2022.
Phillips removed his badge and firearm before entering the victim's jail cell and repeatedly striking him, causing injuries including lacerations and bruises.
The victim was alone in the cell and posed no threat to himself or others at the time of the assault, according to court documents.
The federal court sentenced Phillips to 16 months in prison, followed by nearly two years of supervised release, with a recommendation for mental health and alcohol dependency treatment.
The Department of Justice emphasized that the case serves as a reminder that law enforcement officers are not above the law and will be held accountable for civil rights violations.