ST. LOUIS — A former Venice, Illinois police officer admitted to striking a handcuffed man in the face after a police chase.
Justin Gaither, 34, pleaded guilty Thursday in the U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. A spokesperson from the U.S. Attorney’s Office said this charge was mainly regarding the right to be free from the use of unreasonable force.
The spokesperson said Gaither admitted to the incident, which happened on Nov. 20, 2022, while he was in full uniform and on duty with the Venice Police Department…