MOUNT VERNON – The City of Mount Vernon has vowed to work with the police department and the US Department of Justice (DOJ) following the indictment of Mount Vernon Police Sergeant Mario Stewart for using excessive force against a man in custody. Stewart, according to the DOJ, while in the presence of six fellow officers, deployed a Taser seven times on a handcuffed, shackled man who was lying on the ground. The Taser was fired seven times in two minutes.
The incident occurred on March 26, 2019, while Stewart was assigned to the police department’s Emergency Services Unit. Stewart, 44, of Brooklyn, is charged with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, which carries up to 10 years in prison.
Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard responded to Thursday’s indictment, saying, “The alleged conduct predicating the Department of Justice’s charges is abhorrent and erodes the public’s trust in the hard-working men and women of the Mount Vernon Police Department,” while noting that the incident pre-dates her administration. The mayor also pointed out that her administration is fully committed to cooperating with the DOJ to ensure that justice is served.
“It is important to recognize that this officer’s indictment is not an indictment of the entire Mount Vernon Police Department. Most of our officers are committed public servants working daily to make Mount Vernon safer. We will continue to work to ensure they get the resources and training they need to serve all the residents of this city with fairness and without bias.”
