A former Gary police officer, Terry Peck, has been sentenced to a year in federal prison after pleading guilty to violating a handcuffed man’s civil rights by using excessive force during an arrest. The sentencing was conducted by a U.S. District Court judge in Hammond, who ordered Peck to serve one year and one day in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. Peck, aged 48, had pleaded guilty in August to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, a federal crime that carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
The incident in question occurred during a traffic stop in March 2019, while Peck was on duty for the Gary Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that Peck had used excessive force against the motorist, who was already handcuffed and not posing a threat. Peck reportedly slammed the driver’s face and head against a police vehicle, resulting in a broken tooth and bodily injury.
Peck, a former president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 61 in Gary, was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2021. His termination from the Gary Police Civil Service Commission had occurred in 2020 following a disciplinary complaint related to the assault on the motorist.
U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana commended the successful prosecution, emphasizing the importance of victims and witnesses reporting criminal misconduct committed by those sworn to protect and serve. This case serves as a reminder of the consequences officers may face when they abuse their power and violate the civil rights of individuals in their custody.
