PHOENIX, AZ (December 10, 2010) – Former Maricopa County Sheriff’s Detention Officer Kevin Michael Gerster (DOB 10/23/1975) has been charged with a total of five counts of aggravated assault and two counts of computer tampering in connection with three different incidents, one of which involved the videotaped beating of a Maricopa County Jail inmate. The charges are detailed in three indictments and will be pursued as three separate cases.

Gerster is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, both Class 6 felonies, for physically assaulting inmate Miguel Flores on June 5^th, 2010 while Flores was bound or otherwise physically restrained. In a separate indictment, Gerster is charged with two Class 6 felony counts of unauthorized release or access of a criminal history record on September 9^th, 2010. A third indictment charges Gerster with three Class 6 felony counts of aggravated assault in an incident involving Maricopa County Jail inmate William Hughes which was recorded on video and widely disseminated on the Internet. Gerster resigned from the Sheriff’s Office earlier this month.

“Today’s indictments should send a clear and unambiguous message that no one is above the law and that everyone, even those entrusted with enforcing the law, must and will be held accountable,” said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. “The incidents alleged in these indictments stand in stark contrast to the hard and honorable work the overwhelming majority of our uniformed law enforcement officers perform each and every day to protect the citizens of Maricopa County,” he added.

Gerster’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 23^rd.

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