Deputy marshal accused of civil rights violations

A deputy U.S. marshal in Chicago has been indicted on charges he violated federal civil rights law in two separate cases.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Stephen Linder is accused of punching and choking a handcuffed man on July 8, 2010. He is also charged with obstructing justice for attempting to persuade another law enforcement officer to withhold evidence of the assault, authorities said.

Linder was also indicted Thursday for head-butting a handcuffed man on May 13, 2008, and again for obstruction of justice, authorities said.

The U.S. Justice Department says each civil rights charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on conviction. Each obstruction of justice charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

It was not immediately known if Linder, who is not in custody, has hired a lawyer.