U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester | U.S. Department of Justice
A federal grand jury in Oklahoma City has indicted five current and former correctional officers, along with a nurse, on charges of violating federal civil rights. The indictment accuses these individuals of being deliberately indifferent to the safety and medical needs of a pretrial detainee, referred to as K.T., at Garvin County Jail (GCJ) in Oklahoma.
The indictment claims that on August 6, 2023, former GCJ Sergeant Jennifer Baxter, former Deputies Alesha Danielle Ingram and Vincent Matthews, and former Nurse Lynnsee Noel failed to protect K.T. from harm by other inmates. This alleged negligence resulted in bodily injury to K.T.
Additionally, the indictment alleges that between August 6 and 7, 2023, Baxter, Ingram, Matthews, Noel, along with current GCJ Sergeant Melissa Melton and Deputy Paula Kelley, neglected K.T.'s serious medical needs. Their failure to provide necessary medical care reportedly led to further injury and ultimately the death of K.T.
If found guilty, each defendant could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering relevant guidelines and statutory factors.
The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, 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 FBI's Oklahoma City Field Office is leading the investigation.
Prosecuting the case are Senior Litigation Counsel Julia Barry and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaleigh Blackwell for the Western District of Oklahoma 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.
