Former Minersville Police Officers Charged With Civil Rights And False Report Offenses

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Harry Brown, age 43, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and Richard Clink, age 50, of Minersville, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury for depriving the civil rights of another under the color of law and for making false reports.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on or about February 2, 2022, while acting under the color of law, Brown and Clink, aiding and abetting each other, did deprive an arrestee of his constitutional right to be free from the use of unreasonable force by a law enforcement officer.  This use of unreasonable force led to bodily injury of the arrestee. The indictment further alleges that both Brown and Clink falsified, covered up, and made false entries into police reports documenting the arrest and their use of force during that arrest.

“Law enforcement officers take an oath to serve and protect the public, but as alleged in this case, these officers violated the constitutional rights of an individual and then attempted to cover up their actions,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. "FBI Philadelphia and our partners will continue to ensure the civil rights of all our citizens are protected, and that those who commit crimes will be held accountable."

The matter was investigated by the Minersville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan is prosecuting the case with assistance from the Civil Rights Division.

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is twenty years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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