Feds: Former Cook County officer charged with unreasonable force

A former Cook County correctional officer is facing a federal civil rights charge for using unreasonable force against a detainee while on duty nearly five years ago.

Robert Dartt, 46, has been charged with deprivation of rights under color of law and filing a false report, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Dartt used unreasonable force while on duty as a correctional officer for the Cook County sheriff’s office on Oct. 31, 2011, injuring the detainee, according to federal prosecutors.

Dartt also filed false statements with the sheriff’s office and the Cook County Department of Corrections after the incident, which led to the false report charge, according to prosecutors.

The sheriff’s office sought termination for the former lieutenant, who resigned, according to a spokeswoman.

Video of the incident was released by the sheriff’s office in April.

The indictment was returned Thursday in federal court in Chicago. An arraignment date has not yet been set.

Dartt, of Jacksonville, Florida, faces up to ten years in prison for the deprivation of rights charge, and a maximum of 20 years for the charge of filing a false report, according to prosecutors.