YAKIMA, Wash. – The case in which Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Sergeant Clay Hilton allegedly beat Kevin Hinton for parking illegally last August will be taken on by the Yakima County Prosecutor’s Office.
A spokesperson from the office confirmed on Tuesday that Deputy Prosecutor Joe Brown will be investigating the case. Brown is tasked with making a decision on whether Hilton should face assault charges in connection to the incident.
An investigation in February by Spokane Police found probable cause of second degree assault by Hilton, who has been on paid administrative leave since Sept. 29, 2023 after his alleged excessive use of force on Aug. 14.
On that day, Hilton had reportedly approached Hinton, who was parked at Terrace View Park late at night, to notify him that he was parked illegally. After refusing to show Hilton his identification, Hinton was allegedly arrested with excessive force, resulting in 8 shattered ribs and a punctured lung.
No new information regarding the SCSO internal investigation on this case, which was announced in February, has been released.
