Citizen Report No. 1685562985 - 140922253

NO PUBLIC CLEET RECORD

Former detention officer with the McClain County Sheriff Office in Purcell, Oklahoma, Kyle Tecumseh, pleaded guilty to being deliberately indifferent to a substantial risk of serious harm to a pretrial detainee’s physical safety, in violation of the detainee’s constitutional rights.

According to court documents, on April 21, 2019, Tecumseh was involved in moving a pretrial detainee, into a jail cell with a senior United Aryan Brotherhood (UAB) gang member whom Tecumseh knew posed a danger to to the detainee. Thereafter, Tecumseh allowed another detention officer to move several more UAB gang members into the cell with the detainee and the UAB gang member. The UAB gang members then physically attacked the detainee.

“As a detention officer, this defendant had a duty to ensure that the civil rights of pretrial detainees under his care and custody were protected,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

“Instead, the defendant abused his power and authority by allowing a pretrial detainee to be put in a situation where he faced a substantial risk of physical harm. The defendant is now being held accountable for his actions, and the Justice Department will continue to ensure that corrections officials are held responsible when they violate the civil rights of detainees and inmates under their care, custody, and control.”

Tecumseh faces a maximum sentence of 12 months imprisonment and a $100,000 fine. In addition, according to court documents, Tecumseh agreed to never again seek employment in any law enforcement capacity and to pay the victim any owed restitution.

The Oklahoma City FBI Field Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Barry for the Western District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorney Laura Gilson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.