Guilty To Civil Rights Charge for Ex-Oklahoma Deputy

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SULPHUR, Okla. (AP) — A former Murray County sheriff's deputy has pleaded guilty to a civil rights violation for allegedly using unreasonable force.

The Justice Department said Friday that 39-year-old Craig Billings pleaded guilty to a one-count bill of information that charged him of deprivation of rights.

Court documents show that Billings was accused of physically attacking a handcuffed person and banged his head on the floor at the Murray County Jail when the victim wasn't posing a threat.

A judge ordered Billings into custody after he entered his guilty plea. Sentencing will be set later, and Billings faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The case was pursued by the FBI and the Justice Department.