Two jail corrections officers were sent to remedial training, and one of them was demoted, after an inmate said they used excessive force against him last year.
The employees were disciplined for actions against Clifford Linebarger, a former inmate who says he was beaten to the point of unconsciousness on Jan. 19, 2010. In a lawsuit against Pima County, Linebarger said his injuries created blood clots that caused a heart attack the following day. Last week, the Pima County Board of Supervisors agreed to pay $325,000 to settle the lawsuit.
A Sheriff's Department investigation sustained Linebarger's claim of excessive force.
Justin Casey has worked for the Corrections Department since 1999, and was promoted from officer to sergeant in January 2009. According to internal affairs records from the Pima County Sheriff's Department, the incident caused Casey to fail his promotion probation and he was demoted back to an officer. He makes $46,000 a year.
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Casey was ordered to attend a two-hour remedial training course in defensive tactics.
Corrections officer Michael Beals, who makes $43,000 a year, was initially suspended for one day without pay, but the suspension was later revoked and he received back pay. He was ordered to attend the same two-hour remedial training in defensive tactics. He has worked for the department since 2003.
Contact reporter Andrea Kelly at akelly@azstarnet.com or 807-7790.
