A former officer with the Maui Police Department is facing decades behind bars after a federal grand jury indicted him on allegations he had no legal justification for using a Taser and then tried to cover up his crime by falsifying a police report.

According to acting U.S. Attorney Kenneth Sorenson’s office, Carlos Frate, 40, was arrested Tuesday after a grand jury indicted him on allegations he used the Taser on a person without lawful justification during a Jan. 6, 2024, disorderly conduct incident in Kihei. The grand jury also found there was evidence Frate falsified a police report to try to conceal his alleged unlawful use of force.

Frate is scheduled for an arraignment in federal court on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

In a news release, the U.S. attorney said that, if convicted, Frate could face up to 10 years in prison on the deprivation of civil rights charge and up to 20 years in prison on the false reporting charge.

The U.S. Attorney noted that the charges resulted from an investigation by the FBI and the Maui Police Department.

The Maui Police Department issued a separate news release on Tuesday saying the officer involved in the incident has been fired. The department said the officer had served for 14 years, while adding that the department is working in full cooperation with federal authorities.

“We hold ourselves to the highest standards of accountability and transparency,” Chief of Police John Pelletier said in the news release. “When our officers fall short of these standards, we must address those failures with impartiality and integrity. This referral underscores our commitment to ensuring justice and maintaining public trust.”

The Maui Police Department said the investigation is ongoing and that no further information is available at this time.

“Our community deserves accountability,” Pelletier added. “We are taking deliberate steps to reinforce our commitment to fair and equitable law enforcement practices, ensuring that every individual’s rights are upheld.”

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese.