CAMDEN COUNTY, Ga. – The family of a Florida man, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in 2023, joined renowned civil rights attorneys Harry Daniels and Ben Crump on Friday in Brunswick to speak out on the federal indictment of the Camden County Sheriff’s Office sergeant who shot him.
The news conference came a day after the United States Attorney’s Office announced Sergeant Buck William Aldridge, 42, was indicted on federal civil rights violations. Aldridge is accused of using excessive force on arrestees on four separate occasions. The indictment also alleges Aldridge prepared multiple misleading reports to justify his use of force.
“You reap what you sow, and Buck Alridge sowed a lot of discord, a lot of unlawful use of force, violence, lies,” Daniels said.
Full news conference can be watched at the bottom of this story
In October 2023, Aldridge was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation after he fatally shot Leonard Allen Cure, 53, during a traffic stop.
According to the GBI, Cure was pulled over on Interstate 95 North, just south of mile marker 9 in Camden County, for reckless driving and speeding.
Aldridge instructed Cure to get out of the car, and according to GBI, he complied until he learned that he was under arrest. That’s when Cure began to resist, and the deputy used his Taser, GBI said.
The GBI also reported that Cure started assaulting the deputy, so the deputy used his Taser on him for a second time and his baton to gain control of Cure.
Cure still would not comply, according to GBI. So, the deputy pulled out his gun and shot him. Emergency paramedics treated Cure, but he died.
Cure’s death sparked national outrage following the release of the dash camera video showing the incident, as well as reports that Aldridge was fired from a different Georgia police department in 2017 after throwing a woman to the ground during a traffic stop and handcuffing her.
News4JAX also learned in 2023 that the GBI was looking into a 2022 traffic stop that involved Aldridge, and obtained a video where the deputy can be seen punching an unarmed man as he lay across a car seat following a pursuit and crash.
The Georgia District Attorney did not file criminal charges against Aldridge in connection with Cure’s death.
“After reviewing the investigative case file in the above matter, I have concluded that under the totality of the circumstances, Deputy Aldridge’s use of deadly force was objectively reasonable. The pursuit of criminal charges, therefore, is not warranted,” a statement from the Georgia District Attorney Keith Higgins read following the announcement that no criminal charges would be filed.
Aldridge now faces federal charges of deprivation of rights under color of law and falsifying records.
Cure’s family filed a federal lawsuit in February 2024 against Aldridge seeking monetary damages in excess of $16 million.
Cure’s deadly traffic stop is not included in Aldridge’s federal indictment. However, Cure’s family and attorneys said during Friday’s news conference that they believe Cure’s death was a “driving force” in Aldridge’s federal case.
Crump and Daniels said while they are celebrating the deputy’s charges, they won’t stop until they get “full justice” for Cure.
“We don’t want to let them sweep it under the rug,” Crump said.
Mary Cure, Leonard Cure’s mother, also said she will continue to fight for justice for her son.
“This is just a starting point. Unfortunately, it’s been God’s choosing, rather, that I should stand here, and it’s my son whom I weep over, but his death is going to help a lot of people, a lot of people not to have to stand here where I’m standing, shed another tear,” Mary Cure said.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Aldridge faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each federal civil rights violation, and 20 years in prison for each false report.
“Law enforcement officers are entrusted with the authority to uphold the law—not to break it. When that trust is violated, the FBI will act. No badge puts anyone above the Constitution,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “We remain committed to investigating civil rights violations and holding accountable those who abuse their power.”
In a statement, the Camden County Sheriff’s Office said Aldridge has been “relieved of his duties” with the agency.
“The Camden County Sheriff’s Office is committed to transparency and accountability at every level. Our duty is to serve the citizens of Camden County with integrity and professionalism,” Sheriff Kevin Chaney said.
If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Brunswick Field Office is investigating the case. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia.