Houston County Sheriff's
Deputies Indicted for Civil Rights Violations
TYLER, TX—U.S. Attorney Rebecca A. Gregory announced
that federal authorities have unsealed an indictment
charging two Houston County deputy sheriffs with civil
rights violations in the Eastern District of Texas.
HENRY DOYCE GRESHAM, JR., 50, and CHARLES
JAMES CLARK, 63, both residents of the Crockett,
Texas area, were indicted on March 4, 2009, and charged
with civil rights violations related to the assault
of an individual in the Davy Crockett National Forest
near Crockett, Texas.
The indictment alleges that on July 11, 2008, while acting as Houston County
law enforcement officials, the men went to Gresham's residence, verbally
and physically assaulted an individual, and then transported him in a county-owned
vehicle to the Davy Crockett National Forest. During the drive, Clark discharged
a TASER into the victim. After arriving in the national forest, the victim
was again verbally and physically assaulted. Gresham placed a handgun against
the victim's chest and under his chin. He then used the firearm to strike
the victim in the head. The victim was also knocked to the ground and kicked
before the deputies abandoned him.
Gresham and Clark were charged with conspiracy and
violation of civil rights as well as assaulting the
victim on federal land with a firearm. The conspiracy,
civil rights and assault charges each carry a penalty
of up to ten years in federal prison while conviction
on the firearms count could add an additional seven
years in federal custody. Gresham and Clark are set
for an arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Earl
Hines on March 20, 2009 in Lufkin.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau
of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant
U.S. Attorneys Jim Middleton and Frank Coan.
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.
Press Releases | Dallas Home
