A Dolton police officer was arrested Tuesday amid allegations he used excessive force against two victims in 2009.
Kevin Fletcher, 34, of South Holland, struck two people and later threatened a police chief who was coooperating with a federal investigation, prosecutors said.
A federal grand jury indictment of Fletcher was unsealed after the Dolton officer was arrested. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and posted a $15,000 bond.
The excessive force charges are in connection with a May 2009 incident. Fletcher is accused of using a baton to strike two unnamed people in the head. The obstruction charges that Fletcher threatened the former Dolton police chief. The report alleges the threat occurred after the police chief released records and documents to a federal grand jury investigation's of excessive force allegedly used by Fletcher.
The civil rights charges could mean a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Fletcher could face a maximum of 20 years in prison and the same fine if convicted on obstruction counts.
A status hearing is scheduled for Nov. 28.
