Watch CBS News

Jeffco Jail: Supervisor Resigns, 4 Deputies Suspended In Abuse Probe

By Brian Maass

GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4) - A veteran Jefferson County Detention Facility sergeant has resigned and four other jail deputies are on paid leave as the sheriff's office investigates accusations of abuse of an inmate.

"If these allegations are true, this is egregious behavior," said Jacki Kelley, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office.

Jefferson County Detention Facility jeffco jail
The Jefferson County Detention Facility (credit: CBS)

CBS4 has learned that last month a jail deputy reported the potential abuse of a specific inmate, triggering an internal investigation that has since broadened. Sources say the targeted inmate, Logan McDaniel, 60, was intentionally antagonized and harassed by deputies.

"I don't know what to do anymore, my hands are up in the air. I just want to give up sometimes," McDaniel told CBS4 during a jailhouse interview.

Logan McDaniel
Logan McDaniel (credit: CBS)

 

McDaniel, who has a lengthy arrest record and has been in and out of local jails, complained of poor medical care, assaults, and mistreatment by guards when he spoke with CBS4.

"Like taking my Bible and throwing food in the trash right in front of me, and then I'd go hungry," he said.

One source familiar with the investigation, but not authorized to speak for the sheriff's office, said deputies would apparently show McDaniel drawings and pictures that they knew would leave him agitated.

Logan McDaniel
Logan McDaniel (credit: Jefferson County Sheriff's Office/CBS)

"Some of the deputies have treated me with disrespect, others with more kindness', said McDaniel.

Kelley said the administration was "taking this as serious as we can," and she indicated the investigation would likely be completed before the end of the month, if not sooner. She said the internal investigation had expanded to see if there was a systemic problem within the jail.

The latest Jefferson County Jail probe follows the 2015 death of Jennifer Lobato, who was in the jail on shoplifting charges. Six deputies were reprimanded for the way they handled the Lobato case as she and other inmates pleaded for medical help in the hours preceding her death.

Jennifer Lobato
Jennifer Lobato (credit: Denver Police)

Jefferson County administrators say the supervisor who had been placed on leave during the investigation, Sgt. Jim Shires, submitted his resignation Monday but made no reference to the ongoing jail probe.

Former Sgt. Shires made the following statement about his resignation: "I have retired after 30 wonderful years of serving the citizens of Jefferson County. It was an honor and privilege to have that opportunity. Hindsight being 20/20, there are always different ways of doing things. I believe the investigation showed things could have been handled in many different ways."

CBS4 Investigator Brian Maass has been with the station more than 30 years uncovering waste, fraud and corruption. Follow him on Twitter @Briancbs4.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.