Inmates Claim Tulsa County Jailer Sexually Assaulted Them

A Tulsa County Detention officer pleaded guilty to sexual battery and lost his job and now some of the inmates are suing. The lawsuit says the sheriff's office knew about the misconduct and did nothing about it.

Tulsa County Detention Officer Charged With Sexual Battery 

TCSO detention officer Rickardo Williams has been on unpaid leave since the investigation began in June of 2017. Williams pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual battery Tuesday.

He inappropriately touched the inmates back in 2017, who are now suing Williams and Sheriff Vic Regalado. The suit, filed Monday, claims Officer Williams physically touched Earl Mooney in a sexual manner on a number of occasions.

The other two plaintiffs, Matthew Lawson and Terran Marrow, said Williams did the same thing to them. The documents claim Williams actions caused the defendants severe mental anguish, suffering, and humiliation.

The suit also takes aim directly at Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado claiming, "TCSO leadership was aware, through actual or constructive knowledge, that Officer Williams posed a substantial risk of harm."

Officer Williams has been on unpaid administrative leave since June 2017 when TCSO investigated claims that he had made inappropriate comments and actions towards the inmates. The sheriff’s office turned the findings over the Tulsa County DA and charges were filed.

Regarding the lawsuit, Sheriff Regalado released a short statement Tuesday saying, "We have not been served in relation to this lawsuit. Instead, we were made aware of the plaintiffs' claims through the media. We look forward to vigorously defending against these claims in the proper venue, which is a court of law."

The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office said Williams was hired in January of 2017.