A Jefferson County Sheriff is no longer allowed to carry a firearm after being charged with violating the civil rights of a bank robbery suspect.

Continue reading

Jefferson County Sheriff Bobby Shirley pleaded not guilty in federal court Monday to the charges against him. He was also charged with falsifying records during an investigation of the incident, the herald-mail reported.

Shirley, 60, cannot carry a firearm, even while on Sheriff duty, the U.S. Magistrate ruled.

The federal civil lawsuit filed on behalf of the bank robbery suspect, Mark Daniel Haines, says Shirley and 14 “unknown police officers” kicked him in the head repeatedly and also stepped on his face, court documents said.

Officers allegedly threw Haines to the ground and against a cruiser, punched him and shocked him with stun guns, the herald-mail reported.