Snoqualmie Police Officer Nick Hogan, was formally charged Thursday, May 19, in federal court with using excessive force in a May 20, 2011, incident that occurred when he worked for the Tukwila Police Department.

According to the indictment, Hogan deprived the plaintiff, identified only with the initials M.S., of his civil rights by spraying him with pepper spray while M.S. was in four-point restraints, shackled to a hospital gurney.

The FBI’s Seattle Division is investigating the case. If Hogan is convicted, he could be subject to a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a potential $250,000 fine.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Miyake of the Western District of Washington and Trial Attorneys Jared Fishman and Rose E. Gibson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.

Hogan was also a named party in two previous lawsuits claiming excessive use of force, for two incidents that occurred when he was at the Tukwila Police Department. The city of Tukwila settled those suits in 2013 and 2014, for a total of $275,000.

Hogan was hired to the Snoqualmie Police Department Feb. 10, 2014. He completed his probationary period without incident. Last October, he was put on paid administrative leave, “based on recent allegations of misconduct,” according to documentation from Snoqualmie Police Chief Steve McCulley. This year, on Jan. 29, Hogan was again put on paid leave, for 20 days for allegedly sending sexually explicit text messages to another department employee while on duty.

The city of Snoqualmie announced early Friday that Hogan has been placed on paid administrative leave as a result of the charges.