Former Oklahoma Jail Supervisor Pleads Guilty to Federal Civil Rights Violations

Former Oklahoma Jail Supervisor Pleads Guilty to Federal Civil Rights Violations

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — A former shift supervisor at the McCurtain County Jail has entered a guilty plea to federal charges stemming from the physical abuse and intimidation of individuals under his supervision.

Joseph Nelson Ebert, 35, of Idabel, pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of criminal information detailing extensive civil rights violations. The charges include one count of conspiracy against rights and one count of deprivation of rights under color of law.

According to court documents submitted in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the charges connect to two separate incidents during Ebert's employment as a jail supervisor:

• September 15, 2021: Ebert conspired with other individuals to injure, oppress, threaten, and intimidate an arrestee.

• January 4, 2022: Ebert willfully deprived a pretrial detainee of their constitutional right to due process, specifically the right to be free from unreasonable force. Prosecutors stated Ebert physically assaulted the detainee while the individual was restrained and posed no threat, causing bodily injury.

The case follows a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Oklahoma City Field Office and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Magistrate Judge Gerald L. Jackson accepted the plea in Muskogee. Ebert remains free on bond with conditions while the court conducts a mandatory presentence investigation report.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Paladino is prosecuting the case. Ebert faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the final sentence at a later date after reviewing federal sentencing guidelines.