Former Oklahoma Undersheriff Faces Prison for Inmate Assault

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) — A former undersheriff in southeast Oklahoma has pleaded guilty in federal court to a civil rights violation for repeatedly striking a handcuffed inmate in 2017.

Federal prosecutors say former LeFlore County Undersheriff Kendall Morgan, 44, pleaded guilty Tuesday and faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing has not yet been set.

According to a plea agreement signed by Morgan, the then-undersheriff struck the handcuffed inmate, identified in court records only as “D.P.,” several times even though the inmate was not resisting arrest.

“The defendant’s actions in this case were illegal, immoral, and unethical, and justice demands he face the consequences for his acts,” U.S. Attorney Christopher Wilson of the Eastern District of Oklahoma said in a statement.

Morgan’s attorney, Ben Hilfiger, said that although the plea agreement authorized Morgan to remain out of custody until his formal sentencing, Morgan opted to be taken into custody to begin serving his prison time.