The Custer County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that they received notification that a lawsuit had been filed against three former deputies and one current detention deputy.
The lawsuit alleges that a deputy used excessive force while arresting a 16-year-old and that two other deputies, along with one current detention deputy, failed to intervene. The incident occurred on January 18, 2022. The allegation is that deputies responded to a call about a runaway teenager and ignored signs of sexual assault and human trafficking and instead repeatedly tased the 16-year-old girl.
The press release states that the current sheriff, Rich Smith, has not yet been served with the lawsuit but is very concerned about the allegations. Sheriff Smith has requested the Colorado Bureau of Investigation review the January 18, 2022, incident which is documented on body worn cameras and in police reports.
Sheriff Smith volunteered to support their findings, up to and including the possibility of criminal charges.
