Former Jail Officer Looking at Possibly 10 Years Behind Bars for Allegedly Strangling Handcuffed Inmate

A former detention officer in Georgia is facing up to 10 years in prison after allegedly strangling a handcuffed detainee over the summer.

Monique Clark, a former Fulton County Detention Officer, was indicted on Thursday on federal charges of using excessive force against a pretrial detainee, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia.

If convicted, Clark will face as many as 10 years in prison, FOX 5 Atlanta reported.

Clark is accused of strangling the detainee "without any legal justification" at the North Jail Annex in Alpharetta on June 5, according to the release. The victim was injured and lost consciousness as a result of the alleged assault.

Bodycam video appears to show Clark placing hands around a detainee's neck. The detainee later falls to the ground and officers have to help her back up.

“We recognize that detention officers have a particularly challenging job as they work to maintain order and protect detainees in our district’s jails and prisons,” U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan said in a statement. “However, this detention officer allegedly abused a handcuffed Fulton County detainee by strangling her and must be held accountable for such outrageous conduct.”

Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley of FBI Atlanta said the FBI is committed to investigating law enforcement officers who violate civil rights.

“While those behind bars may have lost their freedom, they retain their humanity — and their civil rights,” Farley said.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General is investigating the case.