19 Austin Cops Indicted in Crowd-Control Injuries at George Floyd Protests

Austin, Texas, police officers face criminal charges for allegedly leaving protesters with serious head and body injuries after firing "beanbag" rounds into crowds during the George Floyd protests that swept the nation in the summer of 2020.

Prosecutors in Texas' capital city on Tuesday released the formal indictments of 19 officers for allegedly leaving protesters and bystanders injured during the police accountability protests. The number of indictments is one of the highest any city has seen from the protests sparked by Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police. The release is the latest in how Austin, a liberal bastion in a conservative state, addresses ongoing police accountability.

The indictments, obtained by CBS affiliate KEYE, names the officers, 18 of whom were charged with two counts of aggravated assault by a public servant, the station reports. One of the 19 officers was charged with additional counts in the injuries of two protesters. The documents also name the protesters who were allegedly injured.

The release of the documents follows a Texas grand jury on Thursday signing off on the indictments sought by Travis County District Attorney José Garza, who has prioritized police accountability. The indictments have been criticized by Austin Police Association President Ken Casaday, who accused Garza of using the officers as pawns in a political game of chess.

Ken Ervin and Doug O'Connell, attorneys representing eight of the officers, said during a press conference Monday that their clients have been processed at the county jail, released on a $1 bond and will be placed on administrative duties.

Ervin said officers face five to 99 years in prison for the charges after facing what he called "exceptionally challenging circumstances during the protests," being required to work up to 12 straight days.

"They were asked a tremendous amount during their work with the riots, our officers were struck with frozen water bottles, water bottles filled with urine, glass bottles, rocks, exploding fireworks, and one Molotov cocktail," he said. "One of our officers was struck upwards of 15 times and simply lost count how many times."

Ervin said officers fired beanbag rounds, which generally consist of lead pellets shot from a 12-gauge shotgun for crowd control, to prevent the protests, which he said blocked major highways, from becoming violent.

"There very well may be righteous civil law, civil personal injury cases. That's not what's going on here," O'Connell added.

Noting that Austin City Council approved two settlements totaling $10 million to protesters the same day Garza announced his indictments, O'Connell, "I believe these charges are political. Absolutely."

"Jose Garza ran on a campaign which is targeting police officers and we're seeing that plan," he said.

Justin Berry, one of the officers indicted who is running for Legislature, released a statement on Friday accused Garza of waging a "war on police." Berry also accused him of trying to influence his election.

Garza said Thursday during a press conference that the charges came from an investigation by his office.

"The facts discovered during that investigation are disturbing," he said. "First, we believe many protesters injured by law enforcement officers during the protests were innocent bystanders. We also believe that the overwhelming majority of victims in the incidents that were investigated suffered significant and lasting injuries. Those injuries include significant and serious injuries to the head, face and body. Some will never fully recover."

Newsweek has reached out to Garza, the Austin Police Association and O'Connell's office for comment.