HONOLULU (KHON2) -- A former Maui police officer, Carlos Frate, was arrested on January 22, 2025, after being indicted on federal charges for depriving an individual of their civil rights. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The charges stem from an incident on January 6, 2024, in which Frate allegedly used excessive force by deploying a taser on a person without legal justification. Frate, 40, of Kihei, was indicted on January 16, 2025, on two counts: deprivation of civil rights under the color of law and falsifying a police report. The indictment alleges that Frate's actions violated the victim's right to be free from unreasonable force and that he later fabricated a police report to obstruct the investigation into his use of force. Frate was scheduled for to be arraigned Wednesday, January 22,2025 at 1:30 p.m. in federal court. Rule changes coming to Hawaiʻi’s House of Representatives If convicted, Frate faces up to 10 years in prison for the civil rights charge and up to 20 years for the false report charge. The Maui Police Department initially referred the case to federal authorities, and the investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Maui Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese. Maui Police Chief John Pelletier previously emphasized the department's commitment to accountability, stating, “When our officers fall short, we must address those failures. This referral underscores our dedication to ensuring justice and maintaining public trust.” Frate was terminated from the Maui Police Department earlier this year. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The investigation remains ongoing, and no further information about the victim has been released.