A Fort Carson sergeant could be sentenced to up to 12 years in prison after allegedly beating a man with his helmet.

   Staff Sgt. Timothy Ray Brown Jr., 26, was charged with felony assault last week in connection with a July 4 fight. While the normal penalty for that level felony is six years, prosecutors say the Kevlar helmet is a deadly weapon, which doubles the maximum penalty.

   Colorado Springs police were called to the 3800 block of Lakehurst Drive about 11:45 p.m. July 4. Officers found Brown's cousin, 19-year-old Max Brown, had been punched in the face and his head hit the concrete parking curb, according to an arrest affidavit. Max Brown was treated at Memorial Hospital for a head injury. Investigators say Jacob T. Lopez, 23, punched Max Brown. Timothy Brown then began fighting with Lopez, according to the affidavit.

   "Mr. Timothy Brown went to his vehicle, retrieved his Army Kevlar helmet, and hit (Lopez) in the head with the helmet multiple times," the affidavit states. Lopez was hit on the left, right and back sides of his head but was not seriously injured, according to police. Lopez was also charged with felony assault and also faces 12 years in prison because he allegedly caused serious injury to Brown.

   Timothy Brown, a combat engineer, according to a Fort Carson spokeswoman, is scheduled to appear before a judge today. Both men are free on $10,000 bail.