Former Tukwila cop charged with using excessive force against suspect restrained on a hospital gurney

WASHINGTON – Former Tukwila Police officer Nicholas Hogan was charged Thursday with using excessive force on a restrained person who had been arrested on May 20, 2011, the U.S. Justice Department announced.

The indictment alleges that Hogan deployed pepper spray "against an arrestee who was in four-point restraints and shackled to a gurney in a hospital," the Justice Department news release said.

The indictment identifies the arrestee only by the initials M.S.  The indictment further alleges that M.S. suffered bodily injury as a result of Hogan’s use of excessive force.

If convicted, Hogan faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the civil rights violation, as well as a potential $250,000 fine.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Seattle Division.

The Seattle Times reported earlier this year that Hogan was fired from the Tukwila department in 2011 after the city settled two excessive-force lawsuit against him for more than $425,000.

He went on to work for Snoqualmie police, where authorities said he was suspended for 20 days this year for having an affair with another officer's wife.

The Associated Press said an email sent to the Snoqualmie Police Department seeking a response from Hogan was not immediately returned Thursday.

The Tukwila Police Department issued this statement:  "The Tukwila Police Department is aware of the charging and indictment of former Tukwila Police Officer Nicholas Hogan by the Justice Department. Nicholas Hogan worked for our department from 2009 to 2012. The department investigated allegations made against him, and upon completion of that investigation, he was terminated. We have no further comment or information to provide at this time."