Matthew Carey, Former Franklin County Deputy, Faces Federal Charges for Violating Inmate’s Civil Rights.
A three-count indictment made public yesterday accuses Matthew Carey, a former deputy from the Franklin County, Ohio, Sheriff’s Office, of violating a pretrial detainee’s civil rights. Carey, 27, from Grove City, Ohio, faces two counts of depriving the inmate of their constitutional rights and one count of conspiracy related to his actions while working at the Franklin County Corrections Center in March 2022.
Details of the Allegations
The indictment states that during his shift, Carey revealed a pretrial detainee’s pending charges to another inmate. Carey allegedly disclosed that the victim had been charged with a sex offense, making the detainee a high-risk target for attack by other prisoners. The other inmate reportedly interpreted Carey’s remarks and gestures as a signal to assault the victim.
Carey’s actions reportedly led to a failure to protect the victim from harm, despite his role as a law enforcement officer. The indictment asserts that Carey had no legitimate law enforcement reason to share such sensitive information, and by doing so, he instigated an assault without taking any preventive measures to protect the victim from potential harm.
Civil Rights Violations and Conspiracy Charges
Carey faces two counts of violating the victim’s civil rights under the guise of law enforcement. The first charge relates to the victim’s constitutional right to be free from excessive force. The second pertains to the victim’s right to be safeguarded from a deputy’s willful disregard of significant harm, which ultimately led to bodily injury. In addition, Carey faces one count of conspiracy for his role in facilitating the assault on the victim.
The indictment also highlights that Carey’s alleged actions have serious legal implications, with each count carrying a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
Legal Oversight and Investigation
The case is being overseen by Deputy Criminal Chief Jessica W. Knight and Trial Attorney Cameron Bell from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. The investigation was conducted by the FBI Cincinnati Field Office, led by Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola. The prosecution is being managed by U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio.
Charges for violating an inmate’s civil rights involve law enforcement officials abusing their authority and infringing on an inmate’s constitutional protections. Common violations include:
- Excessive Force: Using unnecessary or disproportionate physical force during an arrest or while managing inmates.
- Failure to Protect: When officers fail to safeguard inmates from harm, such as assaults by other prisoners.
- Conspiracy: Officers collaborating with others to harm or endanger an inmate, like disclosing information that leads to an attack.
- Discriminatory Treatment: Targeting or mistreating inmates based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics.
- Illegal Detention or Conditions: Subjecting inmates to unconstitutional conditions, such as overcrowding or lack of medical care.
Violating an inmate’s civil rights can result in criminal prosecution under federal laws, such as the Civil Rights Act and Section 242 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code, which makes it a crime for any law enforcement officer to willfully deprive someone of their constitutional rights.
Convictions for violating civil rights can carry serious penalties, including prison time and fines, and serve as an important check on abuse of power in the criminal justice system.
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