Three police officers from Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, are facing federal charges for allegedly using excessive force during 22 arrests between 2018 and 2021. The officers, identified as Patrol Officer Kyle Schauer, 34, former Lieutenant David Donkochik, 51, and Jonathan McHugh, 35, are accused of a pattern of violence, including kicking, punching, and choking arrestees.

The indictment, revealed on Friday, details a series of alleged abuses. Schauer is accused of throwing a man down a flight of stairs, causing injuries. Donkochik allegedly used pepper spray on a man and then punched, kicked, and dragged him. McHugh is accused of punching a man in the face, throwing him against walls, and slamming a woman's head against a wall.

The officers are also accused of attempting to cover up their actions by avoiding cameras and falsifying reports. The indictment alleges they falsely claimed arrestees acted in a manner that justified the use of force and filed false charges, including aggravated assault and resisting arrest.

Attorneys for the accused officers were either unavailable for comment or newly assigned to the case and unable to provide statements at this time. Mount Carmel's current police chief, Chris Buhay, was also contacted for a statement but has not yet responded.

Mount Carmel, a town of approximately 6,000 residents located northwest of Philadelphia, was once a bustling coal mining community. The indictments bring serious allegations against members of its police force, potentially impacting public trust and raising concerns about accountability.