Transit worker indicted on federal civil rights charges

The U.S. Justice Department says a former transit police officer in the nation’s capital has been indicted on federal civil rights charges. According to the Associated Press, the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington, D.C. said 45-year-old Andra Vance used unreasonable force while employed as a police officer for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Prosecutors say Vance was on duty with the Metro Transit Police Department in February 2018 and assaulted someone by striking them on the head multiple times with a baton. It was also reported that Vance then used the baton to choke the person. Officials said the police department conducted an immediate review of the case and suspended Vance before notifying prosecutors. If convicted, Vance faces up to 10 years in prison.