The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Eric Parker, the Madison police officer who threw an Indian citizen to the ground, with a civil rights violation that carries up to 10 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance today said a federal grand jury indicted Parker for

. She said that includes the constitutional right to be free from "unreasonable force."

"Police officers are sworn to uphold the law and protect the public," said Vance in a prepared statement today. "The public must be able trust the police."

Parker, 26, also faces trial in Limestone County for misdemeanor assault, which carries up to one year in jail. He has pleaded not guilty and the bench trial is set for April 29.

Madison police Chief Larry Muncey last month recommended that Parker be fired. He is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal charges.

After the takedown of Sureshbhai Patel on Feb. 6, India dispatched the consul to Madison. Gov. Robert Bentley wrote a letter apologizing to Patel and to India. The FBI launched an investigation.

During a press conference in Birmingham today, Vance said: "Most police officers we work with...are people who care deeply about their community."

When asked if the case was more sensitive than others due to the intense interest from India, Vance said: "I like to think that we've always been sensitive...this case is like every other case."

Patel's attorney, Hank Sherrod, emailed the following statement after the announcement of a federal charge.