In August 2017, Blavity reported on Johnnie Jermaine Rush, who was badly beaten by cops after being accused of jaywalking. In police footage, a group of officers, including Senior Police Office Christopher Hickman, can be seen beating, choking and using a taser on Rush–while he was restrained .

There is no excuse for what happened to Johnnie Rush. Police must protect and serve everyone, regardless of race. Instead, a Black man gets beaten, tased, and choked over jaywalking. That’s right, jaywalking. #ncpol https://t.co/QO8ipj58O2— ACLU of North Carolina (@ACLU_NC) March 8, 2018

The Asheville, North Carolina, Police Department apologized after footage of the incident was released.

Hickman was set to be fired in January, but resigned before he could be terminated. Rush was initially charged with assault against a government official, however police records confirm the charges were dropped in September.

Now, the Buncombe County District Attorney's Office has confirmed that Hickman will face preliminary assault charges, according to CNN.

This week, a judge issued a warrant for Hickman's arrest on one count for each violation: assault by strangulation, assault inflicting serious injury and communicating threats.

Hickman has already been taken into custody, according to Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, who issued a statement apologizing to Rush earlier this month. The former officer was released on unsecured bond, and will have his day in court next month.

"The City Council and I immediately contacted city administration to express our outrage at the treatment of Mr. Rush and our outrage of not being informed about the actions of APD officers," Manheimer stated. "We will have accountability and, above all, transparency."

Another officer present at the beating of Rush, Verino Ruggiero, is still with the force, The New York Times reports. At the time of the encounter, Ruggiero was an officer-in-training; he is now a full member of the department.

Officer Christopher Hickman

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