Hills. Co. jail incidents triggering change

Friday, February 22, 2008

Post a comment | E-mail this story | Print

Charlana Irving said her arm was broken while she was in a holding cell. (slideshow)

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Following four accusations of inappropriate conduct towards inmates at the Orient Road Jail, The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is looking at ways to better train deputies, according to Bay News 9's partner newspaper The St. Petersburg Times.

A fourth person accused the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office this week of treating her inappropriately while she was in jail.

Tammy Lynn Mojica said she was abused by the same deputy who allegedly dumped Brian Sterner, a quadriplegic, from his wheelchair onto the floor at the Orient Road Jail.

The other alleged incidents are:

Marcella Pourmoghani, who says a deputy beat her
Charlana Irving, who says her arm was broken after being roughed up by a deputy

Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum is working with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's office and conducting an investigation into the Sterner incident.

McCollum said he was outraged when he saw video of Sterner, a quadriplegic, being dumped from his wheelchair onto the floor at the Orient Road Jail.

E-mail the TV reporter

Summer Smith

The attorney general's office said they're looking through files, past complaints and other documents to see if these alleged incidents were isolated ones or if others are being treated the same.

The office says while it's too early to tell what the outcome of the investigation will be, they said if they find that this type of behavior is common, they will push for mandated training to try to avoid similar incidents.

Jail Incidents Under Investigation

1. Brian Sterner: a deputy is shown on tape dumping him from his wheelchair onto the jailhouse floor. Surveillance video Watch Video

2. Marcella Pourmoghani said she was beaten by a deputy at the Orient Road Jail and has filed a federal lawsuit.

3. Charlana Irving accused employees of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office of breaking her arm while she was in a holding cell at the Orient Road Jail. Surveillance video Watch Video