A state highway patrolman was indicted Tuesday on a federal civil rights violation after he allegedly struck a man with his patrol vehicle on June 24, 2007.  Steve Garren, 39, of Greenwood, is suspected of striking a man, which resulted in bodily injury, and "deprived the man of his constitutional right to be free from the use of unreasonable force by a law enforcement officer."

"Allegations of law enforcement abuse are serious, and must be considered carefully. I am confident the grand jury has done just that in issuing this indictment," said United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina, W. Walter Wilkins.

The charge follows an investigation by federal and state authorities after a video of the alleged incident was shown by television and internet media outlets earlier this year.

"The joint investigation into the conduct of certain members of the South Carolina Highway Patrol is ongoing, and I anticipate additional presentations to the federal grand jury. Our office will continue to work with the FBI (web), SLED, and the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice to identify those cases that are appropriate for federal prosecution," Wilkins stated.

Wilkins said the maximum penalty Garren could receive is a fine of $250,000 and imprisonment for ten years.

The case was investigated by special agents of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alston C. Badger and Civil Rights Division Deputy Chief Brent Alan Gray.

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