Kyle Tecumseh, Deprivation of Rights, Oklahoma 2023
Kyle Tecumseh, a 26-year-old former detention officer with the McClain County Jail, has been handed a one-year probation sentence for depriving a pretrial detainee of their rights under color of law.
The incident occurred on April 21, 2019, when Tecumseh knowingly placed the detainee, identified as B.B., in a jail cell with a senior United Aryan Brotherhood (UAB) gang member who posed a danger to B.B. Afterward, Tecumseh allowed another detention officer to move several more UAB gang members into the cell, resulting in B.B. being physically attacked.
Tecumseh pleaded guilty to the charge on March 22, 2023, and was sentenced to one year of probation by U.S. District Judge Patrick R. Wyrick on October 27, 2023. The court also imposed a fine of $1,000. In announcing the sentence, the court noted Tecumseh's duty as a detention officer to protect inmates under his supervision, but also acknowledged his lack of prior criminal history.
The case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Barry and Trial Attorney Laura Gilson of the Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.
Tecumseh's actions have been widely condemned by law enforcement and civil rights advocates, who emphasize the importance of upholding the rights of those in custody.
The sentence handed down in this case serves as a reminder of the severe consequences faced by those who abuse their power and violate the rights of others.
The case highlights the need for continued vigilance in monitoring and addressing potential abuses of power within our corrections system.
Defendant: Kyle Tecumseh
Crime: Deprivation of Rights under color of law
City and State: Oklahoma City, OK
Date: October 27, 2023
Sentence: One year of probation and a fine of $1,000
Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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