Former Tennessee Law Enforcement Officer Sentenced for Federal Civil Rights Offenses

A former law enforcement officer in Chattanooga, Tennessee was sentenced today to six years in prison and two years of supervised release for using excessive force against arrestees, announced Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III for the Eastern District of Tennessee and Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the FBI Knoxville Field Office.

Anthony “Tony” Bean, 62, was convicted after trial of using excessive force against arrestee C.G. on two occasions during C.G.’s arrest in 2014, while he was the chief of the Tracy City Police Department in Tracy City, Tennessee. In addition, Bean was convicted of using excessive force against arrestee F.M. during F.M.’s arrest in 2017, while he was the chief deputy of the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office in Grundy County, Tennessee. 

In June 2021, the court heard evidence over the course of three days that showed that, during C.G.’s arrest in the Tracy Lakes area of Grundy County in 2014, Bean repeatedly punched C.G. in the face while C.G. was handcuffed and compliant, causing C.G. pain and other injuries. The court also heard evidence that, during F.M.’s arrest Grundy County in 2017, Bean punched F.M. in the face while F.M. was compliant, causing pain and other injuries. The court also heard evidence that Bean bragged about using excessive force against victims and failed to report his uses of force.

“Law enforcement officers who violate victims’ civil rights also violate the trust of their communities,” said Assistant Attorney General Clarke. “The Department of Justice is committed to holding accountable those officers who abuse their authority.”

“Nobody is above the law,” said U.S. Attorney Hamilton. “The defendant, Anthony “Tony” Bean abused his authority and violated the civil rights of arrestees by physically assaulting them while they were restrained and not posing any threat. A sentence of 72 months sends a strong message to the community that the abuse of arrestees will not be tolerated, and law enforcement officers who break the law will be held accountable for their actions.”

“When an officer betrays the oath to protect and serve, the public is put at risk and the law enforcement community is tarnished,” said Special Agent in Charge Carrico.  “The public has a right to trust that officers will do the right thing. When they don't, the FBI remains committed to investigate and bring them to justice.”

The FBI Knoxville Field Division investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Kathryn E. Gilbert and Andrew Manns of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S Attorney James Brooks for the Eastern District of Tennessee prosecuted the case.