SPOKANE, Wash. – Former Spokane County Sheriff's Office sergeant Clay Hilton has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges stemming from a 2023 incident. The indictment, filed on October 23, 2025, includes two counts against Hilton.

Hilton is charged with using unreasonable force against Kevin Hinton on August 14, 2023. The indictment alleges Hilton punched and kneed Hinton in the head and torso, violating his constitutional rights.

The second count accuses Hilton of falsifying a Spokane County Sheriff's Office Field Case Report on August 15, 2023. The report allegedly contained false statements about knives in Hinton's vehicle to obstruct an FBI investigation.

Hilton's trial is set for January 5, 2026, although the date may change if more preparation time is needed.

The charges

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