Former Dallas Transit Police Officer Pleads Guilty To Federal Civil Rights Violation

Lance Kendall Bonner of Dallas, Texas, a former police officer with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), pleaded guilty on Friday in federal court to violating the civil rights of a Dallas woman, the Department of Justice announced.

During his guilty plea, Bonner admitted that on October 10, 2004 , he saw the woman at a Dallas convenience store, followed her and arrested her after a traffic stop.  Bonner then drove the woman to the Dallas County jail but did not take her inside.  Instead, he drove her to an empty DART substation and forced her to engage in sexual acts with him.  Bonner then released the woman from custody.  Bonner acknowledged that he violated the woman’s constitutional rights and caused her bodily injury.

“I applaud the victim for her courage in coming forward to make this prosecution possible,” said Grace Chung Becker, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.  “Although most officers perform their duties honorably, the Department of Justice will prosecute those few who cross the line.”