(TYLER, TX) United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced today that a 33-year-old former Jacksonville police officer has been indicted on a charge of false declaration before a federal court in the Eastern District of Texas.

LARRY PUGH is charged with testifying falsely under oath. Specifically, the indictment alleges that on September 28, 2006, while pleading guilty to other federal charges, Pugh admitted that he was pleading guilty to the charges because he was guilty. The indictment further alleges that on June 12, 2007, while testifying in a civil case, Pugh denied that he had pleaded guilty to the earlier charges because he was guilty. The indictment alleges that these statements are irreconcilably contradictory.

Pugh was previously sentenced in March 2007 on charges of violating the civil rights of two women by forcing them to have sex with him while he was on duty and in uniform. Pugh also admitted that he retaliated against one of the women for providing information to law enforcement officials.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Jackson.

It is important to note that an indictment should not be considered as evidence of guilt and that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.