Former Maui Police Officer Carlos Frate Sentenced to 65 Months for Excessive Force

HONOLULU – A former officer with the Maui Police Department has been sentenced to more than five years in federal prison for using excessive force against an arrestee, federal officials announced Friday.

Carlos Frate, 41, received a 65-month prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release after previously pleading guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. The charge stems from a January 6, 2024 incident in which Frate repeatedly used a Taser on an individual who was not resisting arrest or posing a threat.

Admission of Unreasonable Force

According to court records, Frate admitted that he continued to deploy his Taser against the arrestee despite knowing that the force was unjustified. The victim reportedly pleaded with him to stop, but the tasing continued.

Federal prosecutors argued that the conduct violated the constitutional rights of the individual and represented a serious abuse of authority entrusted to law enforcement officers.

Justice Department Response

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division described the actions as abusive and inconsistent with the responsibilities of a sworn officer. She emphasized that officers who misuse their authority will face accountability under federal law.

U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson for the District of Hawaii said the sentence reinforces the principle that no one is above the law. While noting that most officers serve with professionalism and restraint, he stated that the justice system must respond firmly when public trust is violated.

FBI Investigation

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case after receiving a referral from the Maui Police Department. Officials from the FBI’s Honolulu Field Office stressed that maintaining trust between communities and law enforcement is essential for public safety.

Special Agent in Charge David Porter stated that abuse of power by a single officer can undermine the credibility of an entire department. He added that federal authorities will continue to pursue cases where officers violate civil rights protections.

Broader Implications

Civil rights prosecutions involving law enforcement officers typically fall under federal statutes designed to safeguard constitutional protections against excessive force and other abuses of authority. Sentences in such cases are intended not only to punish wrongdoing but also to reinforce standards of accountability within policing.

Frate will serve his federal sentence under supervision of the Bureau of Prisons, followed by a period of supervised release once he completes his prison term.