Former Kentucky State Police trooper Thomas Czartorski pleads guilty to civil rights violations

A former Kentucky State Police trooper, Thomas Czartorski, has pleaded guilty in connection with allegations that he violated the civil rights of two people during an incident in 2020, according to WAVE’s report on the case. The plea centers on claims that Czartorski used excessive force and that his actions infringed on the rights of those involved.

WAVE reported that Czartorski told the judge he was guilty of civil rights violations based on what the court found he did in 2020. The report describes the conduct as the use of excessive force against two people, framing the matter as a federal civil rights case tied to policing conduct.

The report also described the terms of the plea agreement and the likely prison time that could follow. According to the case coverage, Czartorski was expected to face a sentence of about 30 months in prison under the agreement, subject to the court’s acceptance and sentencing procedures.

The case adds to a public record of federal accountability for allegations involving law enforcement conduct, including claims that officers used force in ways that cross constitutional boundaries. In these proceedings, the key issue is whether the officer’s actions violated federally protected rights, not only whether state criminal laws were implicated.

WAVE’s reporting indicates the plea was entered as the case moved through the judicial process, with the judge hearing the defendant’s admissions tied to the alleged events in 2020. Pleas of this type typically affect what specific facts are treated as established for sentencing and any related consequences.

If the court follows the framework described in the plea terms, the practical effect is that Czartorski would serve a federal prison sentence rather than remaining on liberty while the case continued. The timeline and ultimate length of any sentence still depend on the court’s final actions after considering the plea agreement and sentencing factors.

For community members and local public safety stakeholders, the case underscores that policing decisions can lead to federal prosecution and outcomes that include incarceration. It also highlights the importance of constitutional compliance and procedural accountability for officers and agencies after allegations of excessive force surface in the public record.