Two current Kentucky State Police troopers and a former trooper have been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the investigation of an alleged excessive force case and coverup.

Trooper Jeremy Elliotte, 28, and former trooper Derrek Lovett, 30, are charged with willfully depriving an arrestee of the right to be free from unreasonable force, according to a news release Wednesday from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Elliotte also was charged with willfully depriving three others of their right to be free from unreasonable searches.

Meanwhile, Trooper Michael Howell, 32, was the third defendant named in the superseding indictment. He had previously been indicted in June 2022 for conspiracy and obstruction charges. The superseding indictment now charges all three with a conspiracy and with engaging in obstructive conduct with the intent to prevent communication of information to federal law enforcement relating to the possible commission of a federal offense.

The indictment alleges that Elliotte and Lovett assaulted and injured a victim without justification and Elliotte, Lovett and Howell tried to cover up the nature nature of the force that was used and the circumstances. According to the indictment, the three developed a cover story about what happened and agreed upon a version of events in case the assault had been recorded. The indictment also claims that Elliotte unlawfully entered a home without a warrant, violating the rights of three people living there.

A date for the three defendants to appear in court has not been set yet.

If convicted of the charges, the accused could face up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy and obstruction charges. Elliotte and Lovett, if convicted, could be sentenced to another 10 years behind bars for deprivation of rights. An additional year could be tacked on to the sentencing for Elliotte for unlawful entry if he is convicted on that charge.