MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A former police sergeant from Alabama has received a sentence of more than a year in federal prison after admitting to physically assaulting an individual in a jail cell. Ryan Phillips, who previously served with the Daleville Police Department, was sentenced to 16 months behind bars, along with nearly two years of supervised release, following his guilty plea in August for a civil rights violation. The incident that led to his conviction took place on March 1, 2022, as documented in court filings.

According to the plea agreement, 42-year-old Phillips acknowledged that following a disagreement with the detained individual, he proceeded to enter the cell and struck him “multiple times about the chest, back, and face.” It was noted that the man in custody was alone in the cell at the time and posed no threat to himself or others.

Kristen Clarke, an assistant U.S. attorney general, emphasized the significance of the ruling, stating, “This sentence should serve as a reminder to all law enforcement that a badge is not a license to answer verbal insults with physical violence and excessive force.” This sentiment reflects the broader aim to address and discourage misconduct within law enforcement agencies.

Initially, prosecutors proposed a sentence of 22 months in federal prison for Phillips. However, U.S. Chief District Judge Emily Marks recommended that he be placed in a correctional facility equipped to provide mental health services and support for alcohol dependency, as indicated in the official sentencing documents.