Police officer guilty of rights violations

A federal jury in Chicago has convicted a South suburban police officer of civil rights violations for striking two men with a baton outside a nightclub in 2009.

The jury deliberated for less than an hour Thursday before finding Kevin Fletcher guilty.

The 35-year-old South Holland man is on administrative leave from Dolton’s police department.

Jurors found Fletcher guilty on two counts of violating the victims’ civil rights to be free from the use of unreasonable force. He faces a maximum 10-year prison term on each count when sentenced Aug. 16.

Prosecutors say the beating happened after the men cursed at Fletcher when he told them to leave the area. He allegedly said he would “teach them a lesson.” Both required hospital treatment.

Jurors viewed video of the incident.