HONOLULU (Island News) – A former Maui Police Department officer, Carlos Frate, pleaded guilty to using unreasonable force against an arrestee, according to a plea agreement.

The plea agreement stated that on Jan. 6, 2024, Frate, 40, repeatedly tased an arrestee who was neither resisting nor posing any threat. Frate admitted he knew his actions were unjustified yet continued despite the arrestee’s pleas to stop.

“Officers who abuse their position of authority to inflict excessive force must be held accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson for the District of Hawaii emphasized the importance of accountability, stating that officers who misuse their power will face prosecution to p

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