Tim Evans

tim.evans@indystar.com

A former Marion County sheriff's deputy who was convicted of attacking a handcuffed inmate at the Arrestee Processing Center in 2012 was sentenced today to one year of home detention followed by 180 days of probation.

David "Matt" Carrico, 30, was found guilty in May of official misconduct, battery and false reporting charges.

The official misconduct charge is a Class D felony and carried a potential sentence of up to three years in jail. The other charges are misdemeanors, each carrying a potential sentence of one year.

Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry, who took a role in the prosecution of Carrico, said he was pleased with the sentence. The prosecutor explained it was not his goal for Carrico to go to prison, only to ensure he would be punished for his actions and not work again in law enforcement.

Curry explained it was important to prosecute Carrico to show the public that police officers who break the law will be treated like everyone else. A failure to prosecute Carrico, he said, would have eroded public confidence in law enforcement and the prosecutor's office.

Carrico was fired shortly after police said security-camera footage showed him attacking the handcuffed man who was going through the Arrestee Processing Center on May 20, 2012.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case, Carrico "kicked, punched and slammed" an inmate to the floor while the man's hands were cuffed behind his back. The assault, which was captured by the facility's security cameras, left the man with a broken nose and other injuries, including a possible concussion.

Carrico said the inmate bit him, refused to follow instructions and tried to incite a riot among inmates, though video shows the inmates were compliant, the affidavit said.

At the sentencing hearing Friday morning, Marion Superior Judge Barbara Cook Crawford heard testimony from Carrico, his wife, a co-worker at the car dealership where Carrico now works, an IMPD police officer and the man Carrico was convicted of beating.

"I honestly don't believe I should be here," Carrico told the judge.

Carrico blamed the situation that led to his arrest on inadequate facilities and training at the sheriff's department. However, he said he has accepted his conviction and no longer has any desire to work in law enforcement.

Carrico also testified the case had created a financial hardship that caused his family to lose its home and two vehicles. His wife, Hope, a former sheriff's department employee, was fired not long after her husband was arrested. Hope Carrico worked the same shift at the processing center as her husband and could be seen in the video of the incident that led to the charges against him.

The man Carrico was convicted of beating said he has lingering physical and psychological problems from the incident. He said he also feels embarrassed by the publicity that surrounded the incident.

"Who wants to be the new Rodney King?" he explained.

The man also said he was thankful for the video cameras at the center.

"Otherwise," he said, "I would be in jail for a lie Mr. Carrico told about me."

Call Tim Evans at (317) 444-6204. Follow him on Twitter: @starwatchtim.