Ohio Justice & Policy Center and Norris Law Group file federal lawsuit against Butler County Jail
The Ohio Justice & Policy Center (OJPC) and Washington, DC-based Norris Law Group have filed a federal lawsuit against the Butler County Jail, claiming that an alleged racially motivated, unjustified assault by a jail officer, combined with alleged systemic failures in training, supervision, and accountability, led to serious physical and emotional harm to Luis Tenelanda, an incarcerated person at the time of the assault. The lawsuit aims to hold both the individual officer and the jail responsible under federal civil rights law.
The OJPC and Norris Group outlined the lawsuit at a press conference on Tuesday held with the Ohio Immigration Alliance.
"We Hispanics are not criminals like they call us and treat us. I was working for a very prestigious company in Dayton, Ohio that builds schools, buildings for police and firemen, and hotels. I worked in all of those places until my last day, paying my taxes every year. And it’s not fair that they treat us like this," said Luis Tenelanda.
"People shouldn’t be put in jail and then assaulted because of their immigration status, race, or ethnicity. Our government must respect basic human rights without exception," said Gabe Davis, OJPC CEO. "This is a strong and united family that is now going through a tragedy because of Luis’ deportation, compounded by his physical injury affecting his ability to work."
"Mr. Tenelanda is seeking to hold Sergeant Rowe accountable because the Jail, Sheriff, and County failed to do so," said Whit Froehlich with the Norris Law Group. "This is far from the first time that the Jail has had violent assaults on inmates. We have represented other detainees who have been victimized by its guards and a systematic failure to hold them accountable."
"Sheriff Richard K. Jones has shown over and over again that he doesn't believe incarcerated people deserve humane treatment. He must be barred from enforcing civil immigration laws and holding immigrants in his jail for ICE. We demand justice and accountability for the assault of Luis Tenelanda, and an end to Butler’s ICE contract. He should be awarded compensation to pay for his medical care, as well as his pain and suffering," said Lynn Tramonte, OIA Executive Director.
About the Ohio Justice and Policy Center: The Ohio Justice and Policy Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit law firm with offices in Cincinnati. Cleveland, and Columbus, Ohio. We fight for equal justice and fair treatment in all stages of incarceration, because every person deserves dignity after their conviction and freedom after their sentence. To learn more about our work and our ongoing initiatives, visit https://ohiojpc.org/.