BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- A Birmingham police officer was indicted by a federal grand jury today for two separate incidents of using excessive force, federal authorities announced.

Corey L. Hooper, 34, was indicted on charges of depriving the civil rights of two individuals while acting under his authority as a police officer, U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick Maley announced in a joint statement. The two incidents occurred in 2007 while Hooper was a Birmingham officer, according to the indictment. Hooper is still employed by the police department, most recently as a burglary detective.

"Most law enforcement officers respect the laws they are sworn to enforce and they perform their duties honorably every day," Vance said. "We will prosecute those few who abuse their law enforcement powers and violate the civil rights of others who are in their custody," she said. "The public must be able to trust those who enforce the law."

Hooper's attorney, Everett Wess, said that Hooper will enter a plea of not guilty to the charges at an arraignment hearing. That hearing is to be held Aug. 16.

After learning of the initial investigation, Hooper was assigned to administrative duties, according to a statement from the Birmingham Police Department this afternoon. Additional action is pending internal review, according to the statement.

"We were notified at the onset of their investigation and we fully supported their efforts in conducting their investigation," Chief A.C. Roper said in the news release. "One thing is for sure, this indictment does not reflect upon the hundreds of officers working hard every day to make Birmingham a safer city."

The indictment charges Hooper with using excessive force on Aug. 4, 2007, against an individual identified in the indictment as "L.C." Hooper injured L.C. with electro-shock by using an X26 Taser stun gun against him, according to the indictment.

The indictment charges Hooper also used excessive force on Sept. 6, 2007, when he repeatedly struck a man, identified as "M.G.," with his hands and fists while M.G. was handcuffed and secured in the backseat of a patrol car, according to the statement.

If convicted, Hooper could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count, according to the statement.

had used excessive force against Martez Gulley during a 2007 arrest. The jury awarded Gulley $71,290 in the case. Hooper appealed and the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, which on July 13 affirmed the district court decision in the case.

Hooper also has one other civil case in federal court pending against him regarding excessive force.

Updated at 5 p.m. July 31 with comment from officer's attorney