KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former Clay County deputy was sentenced to 3 years probation Wednesday for using excessive force during an arrest.
Donald Devens, 59, pleaded guilty in October to beating a man during a traffic stop.
Prosecutors say Devens kicked Wesley Lewis on a road near Kearney, Mo. in August 2005.
They say he kicked Lewis and punched him in the throat as Lewis was lying on the ground in handcuffs.
Devens also admitted to destroying the videotaped recording from his patrol car in order to hide the excessive use of force.
He resigned three months later.
The judge could have sentenced Devens to 30 years in jail, and $500,000 fine, but instead gave him probation.
