Date: 11-20-2017

Case Style:

Case Number: 5:17-mj-00526-STE

Judge: Shon T. Erwin

Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma (Oklahoma County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Julia E. Barry

Defendant's Attorney: Not Available

Description: Oklahoma City, OK - Canadian County Jailer Pleads Guilty to Violating Civil Rights of Pretrial Detainee

Jason Barber, 41, of Bethany, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty November 16, 2017 to depriving a pretrial detainee of his civil rights by using unreasonable force.

According to charges filed on October 31, 2017, Barber was a ranking Lieutenant and employed as a Correctional Officer during 2014 at the Canadian County Jail in El Reno, Oklahoma. On December 23, 2014, L.T. was an individual held at the jail after an arrest but before conviction of a crime. The charges allege that Barber willfully deprived L.T. of his constitutional right to due process of law when he struck L.T. while participating in a disciplinary hearing concerning L.T. Because Barber was acting under color of law, his unreasonable use of force violated federal criminal law. In the absence of bodily injury, the offense is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison.

Barber pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Shon T. Erwin. Barber and the government have agreed he should receive a sentence of probation. He could also be fined up to $100,000. He will be sentenced in approximately 90 days.

This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Investigations Division of the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office.

Outcome: Guilty

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Defendant's Experts:

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