Three Former Milwaukee Officers Found Guilty of Rights Violations

According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice Thursday, three former Milwaukee police officers have been found guilty of civil rights violations related to a brutal assault on two men in October 2004.

The former officers, Jon Bartlett, Andrew Spengler and Daniel Masarik, were found guilty by a Milwaukee jury of conspiring to violate the civil rights of Frank Jude and Lovell Harris In Frank Jude's case, they were found guilty of violating his rights by assaulting him.

The former policemen face a sentence of up to 20 years and a half a million dollar fine. Although a sentencing date has not yet been set for these officers, four other former policemen pleaded guilty to related crimes. According to the press release, a fourth defendant, Ryan Packard, who is still a Milwaukee police officer, was acquitted on all counts.

According to evidence presented at the trial, Bartlett, Spengler, and Masarik had been at a house party hosted by Spengler and consumed alcohol for several hours. The three went on to surround a vehicle that contained Frank Jude and Lovell Harris, along with two women. Bartlett, Spengler, and Masark accused them of stealing a police badge and forcibly removed them from the vehicle, while brandishing knives. They physically intimated Jude into consenting to a search.

Evidence showed that another off-duty officer forced Harris at knifepoint to sit on the curb during the search. The three defendants went on to physically assault Jude, kicking him in the head, groin, and body while he was handcuffed. Evidence also showed that Bartlett stuck a sharp object into Jude's ear.

Wan J. Kim, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division said, "These officers used their positions of authority to brutally victimize Frank Jude and Lovell Harris. While the vast majority of law enforcement officers carry out their difficult duties in a professional manner, the Department of Justice will continue to vigorously prosecute those who cross the line and commit such wanton and unlawful acts."

According to the press release, Kim thanked U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation during the convictions. He also thanked local authorities for assisting in the investigation. Steven M. Biskupic, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin also pointed out that significant constributions were made by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office, investigators from the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office, and the Milwaukee Police Department.

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