Thursday, April 26, 2012 "RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- A Beaumont
police officer was indicted by a grand jury last Thursday for a use-of-force
incident that occurred on Feb. 21. The officer was formally indicted Thursday
morning. He pleaded not guilty.
According to the
indictment, Officer Enoch Clark was on duty on Feb. 21 and was investigating a
possible driving under the influence incident.
Clark was
attempting to handcuff a female suspect and an altercation developed between
the two. According to the indictment, Clark pulled out a less-than-lethal
device issued by the Beaumont Police Department called a JPX.
The JPX uses
gunpowder to propel a stream of pepper-spray at a speed of more than 400 mph.
The optimum distance to deploy the device is between 6 and 16 feet, with a
minimum distance of 5 feet. Clark allegedly deployed the device 10 inches from
the woman's face. The woman's eyes were severely injured, and medical reports
indicate it is doubtful the woman will see again."