Former Oklahoma Co. Detention Officer Accused Of Causing Rival Gang Fights That Injured 2 Inmates

The Oklahoma County Detention Center is seeking criminal charges against one of its former employees.

Detention center administration told News 9 they believe the former employee, who is not being identified, is responsible for the attack of two inmates. One of the attacks happened brutally.

The Oklahoma County Detention Center is seeking to charge the former detention officer with willful neglect of duty and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. 

It all stems from two incidents that happened on December 3, 2020, that left two inmates hurt.

Just after midnight, detention center surveillance video catches an inmate attack another inmate identified as Aaron Cooper, 19, with a broomstick.

A total of 11 inmates began attacking Cooper. During the brawl, Cooper is dragged by his feet into a jail cell where he is continuously kicked and stomped on.

Jail administration said the altercation began because the former officer allowed rivaling gang members out of their cell at the same time.

It happened in a pod on the fourth floor of the building.

Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater handed down criminal charges in March to all 11 inmates allegedly involved in the brawl.

Those inmates have been identified as Devin Hunter, 19; Jordan Owens, 20; Mario Thomas, 42; Jason Martin, 21; Delano Tillman, 27; Mario Thomas, 42; Semaj Thomas, 22; Bashir Said, 21; Artis Dixon, 30; Kelajawon Collins, 22; Tavid Williams, 21; and John Quincy Shivers, 31.

Help for Cooper, according to Detention Center administration, was far away.

“That detention officer did escort the victim up to medical within 20 minutes after the assault occurred,” said Oklahoma County Detention Center Communications Director, Jessica Brown.

Investigators said Cooper’s front two teeth were knocked out, his left eye was swollen shut with a laceration requiring seven stitches, and bruising was seen all over his body. A shoe tread was also showing up on the left base of his neck, among other injuries.

The violence continued on the morning of December 3, 2020.

Hours following Cooper’s assault, around 5 a.m., detention center administration said the same detention officer let additional rivaling gang members out of their cells, again, at the same time.

It led to Joseiah Turner, 23, being stabbed multiple times. According to administration, Turner did not want to press charges against who was responsible for stabbing him.

“The detention officer knew, or should have known, you cannot allow that interaction between rival gang members,” said Brown. “That detention officer was immediately terminated.”

The former detention officer had worked at the jail less than a year. Officials said the officer was hired before the jail trust took over.

Officials at the Oklahoma County Detention Center said accountability is key.

“We cannot, we will not, allow this to happen,” said Brown.

Prater will decide whether criminal charges will be handed down to the former detention officer.