SC Deputy Cleared of All Charges, Sues for Defamation

Federal prosecutors say they will not charge a deputy who was videotaped using force against a South Carolina high school student in a classroom after she refused to give him her cellphone, reports the Associated Press .

The U.S. Justice Department said in a news release that Richland County deputy Ben Fields did not intend to violate the Spring Valley High School student’s civil rights during the October 2015 confrontation.

State prosecutors also decided not to charge Fields, who was the police officer assigned to the Columbia high school.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott fired Fields. The South Carolina deputy is suing the sheriff for defamation.