At a Wednesday morning press conference, Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine announced that he would be filing charges against two former Omaha Police officers.
Officers Scotty Payne and Ryan McClarty will both face charges for their involvement in the in-custody death of Zachary Bearheels on June 5th.
Both Payne and McClarty were fired from the force last week due to the incident.
Kleine is charging Scotty Payne with Felony Second Degree Assault, for the excessive use of a taser on Bearheels. Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said Payne used his taser on Bearheels twelve times, a violation of protocol. Payne could face 20 years in prison for that charge.
Ryan McClarty will be charged with 3rd degree assault, a misdemeanor, which carries a sentence of one year in prison or a $1,000 fine.
Law requires that a grand jury investigation be launched into the incident, but that will not happen until after the charges are formally filed.