Declaring that police misconduct will not be tolerated, Cook County State’s Atty. Richard Devine announced felony charges Tuesday against two Evanston police officers allegedly involved in beating a handcuffed suspect bloody in a police station bathroom and covering up the incident.
“Police officers have a most difficult job … [and] the great majority of those officers in Chicago and suburban Cook County do that work with courage and integrity,” Devine said. “But when a police officer crosses the line, we must take action.”
Police Officer Gus Horemis, 42, a 12-year veteran, was indicted by a grand jury on felony charges of official misconduct and obstructing justice and a misdemeanor battery count.
Probationary Police Officer Michael Yorty, 27, is charged with official misconduct, obstructing justice and felony perjury.
On March 10, Horemis stopped Sayyid Qadri, 21, of Chicago on a traffic violation and arrested him and took him to the police station because his license had expired.
Video cameras at the station captured much of what happened next.
Horemis and Yorty are seen pushing Qadri, still handcuffed, from an interrogation room into a bathroom stall. When they emerge, Qadri appears to be covered in blood.
The videotape shows Horemis pushing and choking Qadri in the bathroom and in the hall outside. He was taken later to a hospital, where it took six stitches to close a cut over his eye.
Qadri was initially charged with aggravated battery to a police officer, but those charges were later dropped, and Yorty’s statement at a hearing for Qadri on March 18 prompted the perjury charge.
“I deeply regret that two officers have disgraced their oath of office and their badge,” Evanston Police Chief Frank Kaminski said. “They have betrayed the public trust and have dishonored their fellow police officers.
“A law enforcement officer who breaks the law shakes the public confidence in other police pros the community turns to in moments of vulnerability and need.”
Yorty has been fired, Kaminski said. Horemis remains on paid leave; Kaminski said only that the department will take “the necessary action” regarding his employment.
Both pleaded not guilty Tuesday and were released on $100,000 I-bonds, Devine said.
Both could face up to 5 years in prison, said John Gorman, a spokesman for the state’s attorney’s office. They are due in court again Oct. 29, he said.
Devine and Kaminski said the investigation took six months partly because they wanted to be thorough and partly because the officers lied about what happened.
“Obviously, in a situation like this, you want to get it right,” Devine said.
Asked if the videotape prompted the charges, he said only that it was one piece of evidence in the case against the officers.
Qadri has filed a civil suit against the officers and the Evanston Police Department. On Tuesday, he and his attorneys said they welcomed the indictments.
“We’re pleased that the state’s attorney has decided to bring this case,” Mark Loevy-Reyes said. “We think that, hopefully, a vigorous prosecution will show that no one in this state is above the law, even those who wear a badge.”
Qadri made a brief statement at the Loevy & Loevy firm’s Chicago office.
“I’m just glad something is being done about this, so another incident like this won’t happen again,” he said.
Meanwhile, attorneys for the officers said they are confident their clients will be found not guilty.
