Press Releases
EX-NOPD OFFICER FACES FEDERAL INDICTMENT
November 29, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DONALD BATTISTE, an ex-New Orleans Police Officer, was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in New Orleans for one-count of depriving another of federally-protected right to be free from unreasonable seizure and from use of unreasonable force, while he was acting under color of law, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.
If convicted, BATTISTE faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, along with three (3) years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment fee.
According to the indictment, on October 6, 2006 while on duty, BATTISTE conducted an investigative stop and it is alleged that BATTISTE robbed and struck the person he stopped.
The Department of Justice reminds the press and the public that and indictment is a formal accusation and that the defendant must therefore be presumed innocent of all counts until adjudicated guilty based upon proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation was conducted by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department’s Public Integrity Bureau. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Michael E. McMahon.
)
