Former officer pleads guilty in rough arrest of 73-year-old woman with dementia

A former police officer pleaded guilty to assault on Wednesday over the rough arrest of a 73-year-old woman with dementia. 

Austin Hopp, a former officer from Colorado, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault as part of a plea deal after he pushed Karen Garner to the ground, allegedly dislocating her shoulder, and was seen on video laughing about it, The Associated Press reported.

Judge Michelle Brinegar accepted the plea deal and could give Hopp up to eight years in prison or sentence him to probation or a halfway house, according to the AP.

The family of Garner said they were opposed to the plea deal, as they believed there was strong evidence to prove the allegations in court. 

“This is not sweeping this under the rug,” Assistant District Attorney Matthew Maillaro said, noting the plea deal was not struck because the case couldn’t be proven.

The incident began in May 2020 when Garner left a Walmart in Loveland, Colorado, without paying for $14 worth of groceries. She was walking through a field picking flowers when Hopp confronted her. When Garner turned away from Hopp, he grabbed her and pushed her to the ground, dislocating her shoulder. 

Video later emerged of the officers watching the body camera footage back and mocking the old woman. 

The city of Loveland settled a federal lawsuit filed by the Garner family for $3 million. 

Hopp is also facing charges of attempting to influence a public servant and official misconduct, the AP noted.

Updated at 4:58 p.m.