U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas issued the following announcement on Dec. 9.
A 40-year-old resident of Weslaco is now in custody on allegations he violated the civil rights of a San Juan man, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Authorities took Juan P. Galindo into custody. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Juan F. Alanis Dec. 10 at 11 a.m.
Galindo is a sergeant with the San Juan Police Department.
The indictment, returned Dec. 4, alleges he violated the civil rights of an individual in December 2015 while acting under his authority as a uniformed police officer. Galindo allegedly physically assaulted the man while he was in custody. According to the charges, the victim had been handcuffed and under police control when Galindo hit him in the groin area with his knee.
If convicted, Galindo faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.