COLUMBUS, Ohio – A former Franklin County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been indicted on federal civil rights charges. Matthew Carey, 27, of Grove City, faces two counts of depriving an inmate of their civil rights and one count of conspiracy to do so, according to a three-count indictment handed down by a federal grand jury.
Carey, who worked as a deputy at the Franklin County Corrections Center in March 2022, was arrested by federal agents and appeared in federal court today at 1:30 p.m.
The indictment alleges that Carey disclosed the charges of a pretrial detainee, who had been accused of a sex offense, to another detainee. The indictment claims Carey was aware that individuals charged with sex offenses face increased risks of assault in jail settings. Furthermore, it alleges that Carey’s words and actions directed and authorized an attack on the victim.
Carey reportedly had no legitimate law enforcement reason to share the victim’s charges and failed to take steps to protect the victim from the resulting assault. The indictment alleges that the attack caused bodily injury to the victim.
The charges against Carey include two counts of depriving the detainee of constitutional rights, specifically the right to be free from unreasonable force and deliberate indifference to serious harm. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola of the FBI Cincinnati Division announced the charges.
The FBI Cincinnati Division conducted the investigation. Deputy Criminal Chief Jessica W. Knight and Trial Attorney Cameron Bell of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.
It is important to note that an indictment contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
