Former Grundy Chief Deputy sentenced to 6 years for punching suspects

Tony Bean worked for both Tracy City Police and Sheriff's Office

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A former Grundy County law officer has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for using excessive force.

Tony Bean was both the Chief of Police for Tracy City and a chief deputy for the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office.

He was convicted of punching a suspect in the face who was already in handcuffs in 2014, while with Tracy City.

Bean was also accused of doing the same thing to another suspect in 2017 while working for the Sheriff.

Testimony in the cases claimed he would brag about using excessive force.

A charge was dismissed against his son, T.J. Bean, who was also a deputy during the 2017 incident.

“Nobody is above the law,” said U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton. “The defendant, Anthony “Tony” Bean abused his authority and violated the civil rights of arrestees by physically assaulting them while they were restrained and not posing any threat. A sentence of 72 months
sends a strong message to the community that the abuse of arrestees will not be tolerated, and law enforcement officers who break the law will be held accountable for their actions.”