Former DHS Officer Gets Probation In Taser Case

A former Desert Hot Springs police officer was sentenced today to probation and community service and was fined for using a Taser on a handcuffed suspect.

David Raymond Henderson, 52, pleaded guilty in April in Los Angeles federal court to a misdemeanor civil rights charge of deprivation of rights, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Cheryl O’Connor.

U.S. District Judge George H. Wu sentenced the ex-officer to one year of probation, including 200 hours of community service, and ordered him to pay a $3,000 fine, the prosecutor said.

Henderson was indicted last year in connection with the August 2004 incident, as was Sgt. Anthony Sclafani, 41, on two counts of deprivation of rights under the color of law for allegedly using a Taser to stun suspects twice in February 2005.

One suspect was handcuffed when he was Tasered, and a female suspect was sprayed in the face with pepper spray, according to federal prosecutors.

Sclafani, who is on paid administrative leave from the department, is scheduled to go on trial on Sept. 13, prosecutors said.