Lawsuit filed against sheriff, two employees

Published 5:00 am Tuesday, July 6, 2004

A Bogue Chitto woman has filed an over $2 million federallawsuit alleging sexual harassment by two Lincoln County Jailemployees.

In the lawsuit, which presents only one side of a legalargument, Stancie Jordan Roberts, of 2001 McCullough Road, allegesthat she was “fondled, kissed, sexually assaulted and sexuallyharassed” by two jail employees during her incarceration from March2004 to June 2004. In addition to false imprisonment, she alsoclaims the sexual harassment continued after she was released.

The lawsuit was filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Jackson.Named defendants include Lincoln County, the Lincoln CountySheriff’s Department, Sheriff Wiley Calcote, and jail employees JoePrice and Andrew Graham.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

When contacted Monday morning, Calcote said he was unaware ofthe lawsuit.

County Attorney Bob Allen said the county had not been servedwith a copy of lawsuit. Until the county is served, he had nocomment on the lawsuit allegations.

“I always find it odd when someone files a lawsuit and gives thenewspaper a copy before serving the defendants,” Allen said. “But,as soon as we are served, we’ll take the appropriate steps.”

A copy the lawsuit was faxed to The DAILY LEADER late Friday.Roberts’ attorney Eduardo Flechas, of Jackson, was unavailable forfurther comment on the lawsuit Monday.

County officials said there is an ongoing investigationinvolving the jail, although they did not say if it was related tolawsuit. Two employees, who were not identified due to personnelreasons, have been placed on administrative leave.

The lawsuit alleges the plaintiff incurred embarrassment,humiliation, and emotional and mental pain and suffering. Thelawsuit seeks over $2 million in compensatory damages plusattorneys’ fees and any other relief the court deems proper.