A former Alabama deputy sheriff was sentenced Monday to federal prison for beating a handcuffed inmate.

Blake Hicks, a 33-year-old ex-Elmore County Sheriff’s Office deputy, pleaded guilty in March to depriving an arrestee of his civil rights under color of law.

He was sentenced today to 29 months in prison – almost 2 ½ years – which will be followed by three years of supervised released.

According to documents and statements made in court, Hicks willfully used unreasonable force against an arrestee, identified only in court documents “T.Q.”

The Wetumpka Herald in 2022 attended a press conference with “T.Q.” and his attorneys and identified him as then-26-year-old Tristan Quinn. His attorneys released video footage of the incident, as well as a hospital photo showing him with a bruised and bloodied left eye.

The indictment against Hicks alleged the deputy punched and kicked Quinn in the head while he was handcuffed and lying on the ground.

Quinn suffered a broken cheekbone, concussion, and lacerations from Hicks’ assault.

Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said he asked the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to investigate the police brutality claims against his deputy and said ALEA later brought in the FBI.

Hicks was immediately placed on administrative leave with pay and resigned from the force one year later, which was in early 2023.

The FBI in Mobile investigated the case.

“This defendant had a duty to respect the rights of people in his custody and to keep them safe,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Instead, he violently assaulted a person under arrest who was not resisting or threatening harm to the defendant or the public.”

“We expect law enforcement officers to maintain order and ensure public safety,” said Middle District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Ross. “These are tremendous responsibilities. Fortunately, the vast majority of officers serve honorably. Hicks fell short of his obligation to protect and serve.”

“The sentence imposed today ensures that he is held responsible for his actions,’’ Ross said. “Failure to hold Hicks accountable would discredit the noble service of other officers and weaken the public’s trust in law enforcement.”