Former Douglas County Jail Deputy, Inmate Both Face Charges After Isolation Cell Incident

ROSEBURG, Ore. — A former Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been formally charged with assault and official misconduct after allegedly striking an inmate multiple times inside an isolation cell at the Douglas County Jail.

According to court filings, 47-year-old Jeremiah David Heredia is accused of fourth-degree assault and first-degree official misconduct. The charges stem from a July 3 incident in which Heredia, then working as a corrections deputy, allegedly entered an isolation cell and punched an adult in custody following a brief exchange involving toilet water.

Court records state that the inmate, who was alone in the cell with a clogged toilet, was given a plastic bag to clear the debris. After cleaning, the inmate reportedly flicked toilet water at Heredia and another inmate assigned to cleaning duties as the door was closing. Heredia then allegedly re-entered the cell, forced the inmate onto a fixed bench, and struck him multiple times, briefly left, then returned to deliver additional blows.

The inmate sustained a swollen eye, a cut above the eyelid, and facial bruising. He was first evaluated by jail medical staff and later treated at a hospital. Surveillance video and witness statements reportedly corroborated the incident.

The Douglas County District Attorney’s Office officially filed the charges on Wednesday in a District Attorney’s Information, the standard prosecutorial filing for misdemeanors under Oregon law. Fourth-degree assault is a Class A misdemeanor in Oregon, defined as recklessly causing physical injury. Official misconduct also carries Class A misdemeanor penalties and applies to public servants who knowingly misuse their authority.

Heredia was released under court-ordered conditions over the weekend before the filing. His employment with the Sheriff’s Office was terminated following the incident. He has not yet been arraigned, and court records indicate no future hearings have been scheduled as of now.

The inmate involved in the incident is also facing criminal charges. Prosecutors have charged him with aggravated harassment, a felony, for allegedly propelling a hazardous substance (toilet water) at a known public safety officer. He also faces misdemeanor harassment for offensive physical contact in the same act.

The investigation into the case was handled by the Roseburg Police Department as an outside agency, per protocol, following a referral from the Sheriff’s Office. The charges were filed by Chief Deputy District Attorney Allison Eichmann, who specified that the misconduct charge stems from Heredia acting outside the bounds of his duties while on the job.

Heredia is represented by attorneys Matthew D. Kemmy of Salem and James B. Devecchio of Roseburg.

Source: The News Review