Former Arizona Tribal Officer Indicted in Excessive-Force Case
A federal grand jury has indicted Jacob Christopher Slawson, a 29-year-old former San Carlos Apache Police Department officer, on federal charges tied to alleged excessive force against a handcuffed arrestee and alleged falsification of an investigative report.
The Justice Department announced the indictment on August 26, 2026, and updated its announcement on August 27. Prosecutors allege that Slawson punched the arrestee in the face while the person was handcuffed and secured in a police vehicle, knocking the person unconscious.
According to the indictment as summarized by the department, Slawson then allegedly pulled the arrestee from the vehicle. Prosecutors say the person’s head struck concrete and split open. The Justice Department did not identify the arrestee in its announcement.
The records allegation
The case also includes a separate allegation involving the investigation. Prosecutors say Slawson added false and misleading information to another detective’s report after learning that he was under investigation for excessive force.
The government alleges that the changes were made with intent to obstruct the investigation. That allegation is separate from the alleged use of force and concerns the accuracy and integrity of an official record.
The federal charges
Slawson is charged with deprivation of rights under color of law, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 242, and falsification of records, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1519.
Section 242 is a federal civil-rights statute that prosecutors use when they allege that someone acting under government authority willfully deprived another person of constitutional rights. The records charge alleges that Slawson falsified or added misleading information to an official report with the intent to obstruct an investigation.
The Justice Department said a conviction on both charges could carry a statutory maximum of up to 30 years in prison. That is the maximum authorized penalty, not a prediction of the sentence Slawson would receive if convicted.
Why the case is a federal civil-rights matter
The case is being handled by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona. The FBI’s Tucson Resident Agency and Phoenix Field Office investigated the case, according to the department.
The federal charges make the matter more than a local employment or disciplinary dispute. Prosecutors are alleging both a constitutional-rights violation and an effort to interfere with the investigation of that alleged conduct. The indictment does not charge the San Carlos Apache Police Department or establish liability by the department.
What the indictment means
An indictment is a formal accusation returned by a grand jury, not a conviction. Slawson remains presumed innocent, and the government must prove every charge beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
The next developments are expected to come through the federal court process, including an initial appearance, arraignment, defense filings and discovery. Additional details may become public through court records or statements from Slawson, his attorney or the San Carlos Apache Police Department.
Sources
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