Pulaski County, Ky. Sheriff’s Deputy Indicted for Federal Civil Rights Violations

U.S. Attorney Kerry B. Harvey of the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez of the Civil Rights Division, announced today that Stephen Molen, a Sheriff’s Deputy with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office in Pulaski County, Ky., was indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of violating the civil rights of victims by using excessive force in October 2009 and October 2011.

 
Count one of the indictment alleges that on Oct. 2, 2009, Molen assaulted a victim identified in the indictment as “D.W.,” resulting in bodily injury.  Count two of the indictment alleges that on Oct.7, 2011, Molen assaulted a victim identified in the indictment as “G.C.,” also resulting in bodily injury.

 
 If Molen is convicted of these charges, he will face a statutory maximum punishment of 10 years in prison for each count.

The investigation was conducted by the Louisville Division of the FBI.  The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Pat Molloy and Ron Walker of the Eastern District of Kentucky and Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Ali Ahmad.

The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.