James Eakes, Assaulting Inmate, Kentucky 2024

Kentucky Deputy Jailer Convicted of Assaulting Inmate with Taser, Faces Up to 10 Years in Prison

A federal jury in Paducah, Kentucky, has convicted James Eakes, 54, a deputy jailer at the Fulton County Detention Center, of violating the civil rights of an inmate by assaulting him with a dangerous weapon. The jury found Eakes willfully deprived an inmate of the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment.

According to evidence and testimony, Eakes repeatedly tased inmate L.B. after L.B. cursed at him. The incident occurred after L.B. was locked in his cell with an anti-suicide garment and told guards he was suicidal. Eakes removed L.B.’s possessions from his cell and left him alone, but when L.B. cursed at him from behind the cell door, Eakes ordered the door to be unlocked and shot L.B. with his Taser.

Despite L.B. taking no aggressive action towards Eakes and remaining slumped against the cell wall, Eakes tased L.B. two additional times while yelling at him not to curse again. The FBI conducted the investigation, and Assistant United States Attorney Madison Sewell and Trial Attorney Zachary Dembo prosecuted the case.

The conviction is a significant blow to the Fulton County Detention Center, which has faced allegations of abuse and mistreatment of inmates in the past. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Kentucky said the case highlights the importance of holding correctional officers accountable for their actions.

“The rule of law applies equally to all persons in our Commonwealth,” said U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman. “And we will enforce the law without regard to position or office held.”

Eakes faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Sentencing has been scheduled for Aug. 30.

Related Federal Cases