Nicholas Hogan, 36, a former Tukwila and Snoqualmie Police Officer pleaded guilty Nov. 2 in U.S. District Court in Seattle to Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law for an attack on a handcuffed man at a Seattle hospital, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Hogan is prohibited from seeking employment as a police officer or security guard for 15 years. U.S.

Hogan, hired to the Snoqualmie Police Department in March, 2011, was terminated last August. City officials would not comment on the termination, or on the terms of Hogan’s employment. He had been on leave from the city since May 19, when he was indicted in federal court for the above civil rights violation. After Hogan pleaded guilty on Nov. 2, city officials declined any further comment on his termination.

“This defendant betrayed the trust we place in police officers to use only necessary and appropriate force,” said U. S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “Hogan pepper-sprayed a person that was already detained in handcuffs and restraints – and said he did so simply because the man ‘got mouthy.’ Law enforcement officers are given broad powers to protect and serve the public – as most honorably do. When these powers are misused, those responsible will be held to account.”

The incident occurred May 20, 2011, when Hogan was employed with the Tukwila Police Department. According to the plea agreement, Hogan struck the plaintiff repeatedly in the head with his knee, and later, when the plaintiff was in restraints, Hogan used pepper spray on him.

District Judge John C. Coughenour is scheduled to sentence Hogan on Jan. 27. The former Snoqualmie officer faces up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Under the terms of the plea agreement he agreed to not seek employment as a law enforcement officer, or any employment requiring the carrying of a firearm, for 15 years.

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bruce Miyake for the Western District of Washington and Trial Attorenys Rose Gibson and Jared Fishman of the Civil Rights Division for the Department of Justice.