CAMDEN COUNTY, Ga. – A Camden County Sheriff’s Office sergeant, who shot and killed a 53-year-old man during a traffic stop in 2023, has been indicted on federal civil rights violations, according to the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Georgia.
Officials said Sergeant Buck William Aldridge, 42, is accused of using excessive force on arrestees on four separate occasions. The indictment also alleges Aldridge prepared multiple misleading reports to justify his use of force.
In October 2023, Aldridge was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation after he fatally shot Leonard Allen Cure during a traffic stop.
According to the GBI, Cure was pulled over on Interstate 95 North, just south of mile marker 9 in Camden County, for reckless driving and speeding.
Aldridge instructed Cure to get out of the car, and according to GBI, he complied until he learned that he was under arrest. That’s when Cure began to resist, and the deputy used his Taser, GBI said.
The GBI also reported that Cure started assaulting the deputy, so the deputy used his taser on him for a second time and his baton to gain control of Cure.
Cure still would not comply, according to GBI. So, the deputy pulled out his gun and shot him. Emergency paramedics treated Cure, but he died.
Cure’s death sparked national outrage following the release of the dash camera video showing the incident, as well as reports that Aldridge was fired from a different Georgia police department in 2017 after throwing a woman to the ground during a traffic stop and handcuffing her.
News4JAX also learned in 2023 that the GBI was looking into a 2022 traffic stop that involved Aldridge, and obtained a video where the deputy can be seen punching an unarmed man as he lay across a car seat following a pursuit and crash.
The Georgia District Attorney did not file criminal charges against Aldridge in connection with Cure’s death.
“After reviewing the investigative case file in the above matter, I have concluded that under the totality of the circumstances, Deputy Aldridge’s use of deadly force was objectively reasonable. The pursuit of criminal charges, therefore, is not warranted,” a statement from the Georgia District Attorney Keith Higgins read following the announcement that no criminal charges would be filed.
Cure’s family filed a federal lawsuit in February 2024 against Aldridge seeking monetary damages in excess of $16 million.
Aldridge now faces federal charges of deprivation of rights under color of law and falsifying records.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Aldridge faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each federal civil rights violation, and 20 years in prison for each false report.
“Law enforcement officers are entrusted with the authority to uphold the law—not to break it. When that trust is violated, the FBI will act. No badge puts anyone above the Constitution,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “We remain committed to investigating civil rights violations and holding accountable those who abuse their power.”
In a statement, the Camden County Sheriff’s Office said Aldridge has been “relieved of his duties” with the agency.
“The Camden County Sheriff’s Office is committed to transparency and accountability at every level. Our duty is to serve the citizens of Camden County with integrity and professionalism,” Sheriff Kevin Chaney said.
News4JAX spoke with NAACP President Timothy Bessent Sr. on Thursday, who said it’s concerning to have a deputy indicted on these charges, but he’s glad the system has worked in this particular case.
“Some justice have finally came for the families that have suffered at the hand of Mr. Aldridge having their civil rights violated through excessive force,” Bessent said. “I believe this particular case does speak to the climate of what’s been in our nation, in our community, but I believe that I can say that the climate has begun to change here in Camden County.”
If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Cure’s family will join nationally renowned civil rights attorneys Harry Daniels and Ben Crump, as well as representatives from the Camden County NAACP, in a news conference on Friday in Brunswick, where they’re expected to speak out on Aldridge’s thirteen-count indictment.
The FBI Brunswick Field Office is investigating the case. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia.
