By Allan Lengel
ticklethewire.com
WASHINGTON — A Baltimore cop and two retired ones were charged with federal civil rights violations and obstruction of justice in connection with the 2004 beating of a shackled juvenile with a police baton and a pool stick.

In a six-count indictment unsealed Friday, the Justice Department charged that officer Gregory Mussmacher assaulted the juvenile with a police-issued baton,  and retired officer officer Guy Gerstel used a pool stick.

The Justice Department alleged that Gerstel made a false statement to the FBI about the case,  and retired Sgt. Wayne Thompson wrote a false statement and persuaded other officers from filling out the required paper work on the incident.

“Most law enforcement officers perform their duties with honor and integrity,” Baltimore U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said in a prepared statement.

“Any police officers who abuse suspects, write false reports and obstruct justice must be held accountable so that citizens can have confidence in law enforcement agencies.”

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