A former Colorado police officer has pleaded guilty to an assault charge stemming from an incident that occurred in Loveland back in 2020 involving an elderly woman with dementia.

Colorado Woman Assaulted

The incident in question took place near a Walmart in Loveland, Colorado on June 26, 2020. The woman, then-73-year-old Karen Garner, was walking home from the Walmart store when she was approached by a police officer after being accused of shoplifting.

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The officer, Austin Hopp, was caught on his bodycam saying and doing things to the woman that were not only troubling but are also what landed him in the trouble that he is in now.

The bodycam footage shows Hopp asking Garner, who suffers from dementia if she needed "to be arrested right now?" Shortly thereafter, the footage shows Garner on the ground, obviously struggling.

More Damning Evidence From Loveland Jail

In addition to the damning evidence against Hopp caught on bodycam footage, he was also seen bragging back at the police station about "the pop" heard on the tape, referencing an injury allegedly inflicted by him onto Garner.

It has also been reported that Garner sustained numerous injuries and was left in the jail cell by herself without being treated by medical staff for several hours.

The Charges Against the Former Colorado Cop

The incident involving Hopp and Garner led to the officer's resignation from the force, as well as the resignation of another officer that showed up onto the scene, Daria Jalali.

Jalali was charged with failing to intervene and failing to report the use of force, while Hopp was charged with much more serious charges.

As of today, it has been reported that Hopp accepted a plea deal by pleading guilty to second-degree assault. He will be sentenced during his next court appearance on May 5, 2022.

[KDVR]

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