2 Lucas County sheriff's deputies indicted by federal grand jury for civil rights violations

12/7/2006

A federal grand jury in Toledo has indicted two Lucas County sheriff s deputies on charges they violated the civil rights of a 15-year boy who suffered a broken jaw and other injuries at the county Juvenile Justice Center last year.

Troy Jackson, 45, and Marc Odoms, 38, both of Toledo, were also charged with conspiring to obstruct, and obstructing a federal investigation into the incident. The two men work at the county Juvenile Justice Center.

If convicted, both men face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and fines of $250,000 on each criminal civil rights and obstruction charge. Deputy Odoms faces an additional five years in prison if convicted on a false statements charge.

In January, 2005, the boy was handcuffed and was being moved from a courtroom to a detention area when he head-butted a security employee. Deputy Jackson wrestled the youth to the ground.

In February, 2005, Sheriff James Telb cleared Deputy Jackson of any wrongdoing. He said he had not known about the broken jaw at the time. The FBI and the Lucas County Children s Service were continuing their investigation.

The incident was first reported by the boy s mother, who contacted Toledo police.

According to the U.S. Justice Department, prosecutors allege that Deputy Jackson physically assaulted the boy by striking him in the eye and the side of the face. Deputy Odoms allegedly watched the assault and failed to invervene.

Both men, the indictment alleges, agreed to, and did, obstruct the investigation by creating false written reports and making false statements. A preliminary court hearing date has not been set.

Read more later in The Blade and online at toledoblade.com.