The Department of Justice announced Friday that it has filed civil rights charges against two Honolulu Police Department officers after they allegedly forced a homeless man to lick a public urinal.

John Rabago and Reginald Ramones each face a charge of conspiring to deprive a person of their civil rights and one count of acting under color of law to deprive the same person of their civil rights. The announcement charges that both officers violated the homeless man's right to unreasonable seizure by police.

Four Honolulu police officers were under federal investigation, according to Hawaii News Now, stemming from a January 2018 incident in a public restroom in Honolulu. The officers responded to a trespassing complaint and allegedly came across the victim and forced him to lick a urinal in the restroom.

A fifth officer, who stepped outside and was unaware of what was going on, reported the incident. Other officers who responded were able to locate the victim after a search of the area.

Honolulu police then forwarded the case to the FBI, citing an abuse of police powers.

"While this morning’s arrests cast a dark shadow on the Department, I ask that the public please continue to support the officers who carry out their daily assignments with courage, integrity, and respect for the public," Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard said. "The two officers who were arrested will have their day in court and be held accountable for their actions. We notified the FBI of the allegations shortly after this incident so that the public could be assured that the appropriate actions would be taken. We thank the Bureau for its cooperation."

Rabago has been employed by the department for 17 years, and Ramones is a 10-year veteran.

The two unnamed officers are on restricted duty while Rabago and Ramones have been placed on leave without pay.

Rabago and Ramones could each face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, if convicted.