A federal indictment alleges two Springfield, Massachusetts police officers used excessive force during the arrests of two Latino teenagers in 2016.
Federal prosecutors say Gregg Bigda and Steven Vigneault were arrested on Wednesday and are expected to appear later in the day in U.S. District Court in Springfield.
According to the indictment, Bigda used unreasonable force, spat on one teen and said: "Welcome to the white man's world."
Bigda is also accused of threatening the youths during a subsequent interrogation and falsifying a police report.
Vigneault is charged with using unreasonable force against the second teen.
Prosecutors say both boys sustained injuries in the incident, which occurred in Palmer following a pursuit that began in Springfield.
Vigneault retired in 2016. Bigda remains an officer after serving a 60-day suspension. Messages left with attorneys for the men were not immediately returned.
“The investigation, which began nearly three years ago, has been highly publicized,” said Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri in a statement Wednesday. “Mr. Vigneault previously resigned; Officer Bigda will be suspended without pay due to the indictment. The Springfield Police Department will have no further comment during the criminal proceedings.”
The Associated Press 2018 contributed to this report.
