A former Iberia Parish sheriff’s deputy pleaded guilty to striking a handcuffed man.

Cody Laperouse (29) while acting as a deputy of the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office on September 29, 2013, struck a man who was under arrest and on the ground with his hands cuffed behind his back. Laperouse was one of several officers tasked with dispersing a large crowd that had gathered after the close of the Sugar Cane Festival in New Iberia. The crowd was asked to disperse, and the victim was arrested during this time. The victim was instructed to lie flat on the ground in a face-down position, and did not comply.

Laperouse struck the victim twice, using excessive force. He faces up to one year in prison, one year supervised release, and a 100,000 dollar fine. A sentencing date was not set.