Marlon Taylor, Deprivation of Rights under Color of Law, Ohio 2012

A corrections officer has been held accountable for his actions after a violent assault on an inmate at the Lorain County Jail.

Marlon Taylor, 47, of Vermilion, Ohio, pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law on today, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The assault occurred on July 29, 2012, while Taylor was working as a corrections officer at the Lorain County Jail. According to court documents, Taylor struck an inmate repeatedly, causing bodily injury and depriving the inmate of the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement that the majority of law enforcement officials do a great job, but when someone abuses the power and privileges of their office, they can and will be held accountable.

The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office is committed to working with its partners to identify and prosecute instances of law enforcement abuse, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels.

The FBI's Cleveland Office conducted the investigation into Taylor's actions, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Antoinette T. Bacon and Lauren Bell, along with Trial Attorney Betsy Biffl, will prosecute the case.

Taylor is scheduled to be sentenced on December 19 and faces the consequences of his actions. The public should be reminded that the majority of those serving within the criminal justice system do so with honor and integrity, said Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI's Cleveland Office.

The acknowledgment of excessive force exhibited by a fellow officer is disconcerting, but it takes on a particular sense of urgency and will continue to be a priority for the FBI, Anthony added.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/pr/former-lorain-county-corrections-officer-pleads-guilty