A federal grand jury in Oklahoma City has issued a two-count indictment against five current and former correctional officers and one nurse, charging them with federal civil rights violations. The charges relate to events at the Garvin County Jail (GCJ) in Oklahoma.
The indictment accuses former GCJ Sergeant Jennifer Baxter, former GCJ Deputies Alesha Danielle Ingram and Vincent Matthews, and former GCJ Nurse Lynnsee Noel of violating the constitutional rights of a pretrial detainee, identified as K.T., on August 6, 2023. The officials allegedly showed deliberate indifference to a substantial risk of serious physical harm to K.T. from other inmates, resulting in bodily injury.
Further allegations state that on August 6 and 7, 2023, Baxter, Ingram, Matthews, Noel, along with current GCJ Sergeant Melissa Melton and current GCJ Deputy Paula Kelley, were indifferent to K.T.'s serious medical needs by failing to provide necessary medical care. This negligence reportedly led to further injury and ultimately K.T.'s death.
If convicted, each defendant could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced the indictment alongside U.S. Attorney Robert Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma and Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office.
The case is under investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. Senior Litigation Counsel Julia Barry and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaleigh Blackwell for the Western District of Oklahoma are prosecuting alongside Trial Attorneys Laura Gilson and Trevor Kempner from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.