Chicago U.S. marshal charged with beatings

CHICAGO, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- A deputy U.S. marshal was indicted in Chicago Thursday on charges of beating handcuffed suspects.

Stephen Linder, 36, was charged with civil-rights violations for two alleged incidents in 2008 and 2010, following an investigation by the U.S. Justice Dept.

Linder was accused of punching and choking one man in 2010 and head-butting another handcuffed suspect in 2008.

The U.S. Attorney's office in Chicago said in a written statement Thursday Linder was also charged with obstruction of justice in both incidents for allegedly persuading a fellow officer to withhold evidence about the alleged assaults.

Linder faces as much as 10 years in prison on the civil rights charges and 20 for obstruction of justice.