Ex-jail commander facing class-action lawsuit for allegedly watching strip-search videos

A former La Plata County Jail commander is facing a class-action lawsuit over allegations of secretly watching 117 strip-search videos of female inmates. The former commander, Ed Aber, is accused of accessing the videos a total of 3,116 times over nearly five years. The lawsuit also includes the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office and multiple employees, including Sheriff Sean Smith, as defendants.

Requests for comment from Sheriff Smith and the Sheriff’s Office were unanswered at the time the lawsuit was filed. The legal action was initiated by civil rights attorneys Kevin Mehr, Tyler Jolly of Mehr Jolly, PLLC, and Jason Kosloski of Kosloski Law, PLLC, all hailing from the Front Range.

In an interview with The Durango Herald in July, Kosloski highlighted the imbalance of power between jail staff and inmates, expressing that those incarcerated have limited control over their autonomy and bodies. He emphasized the significant authority bestowed upon jail employees who oversee individuals within the correctional facility. The extreme number of times Aber allegedly accessed the strip-search videos underscored the breach of trust and power that should be responsibly wielded in such a sensitive environment.

The allegations against Aber and the involvement of the Sheriff’s Office shed light on the vulnerability and lack of agency that inmates face while in custody. The ability of staff to infringe on the privacy and dignity of incarcerated individuals reflects a severe violation of rights and trust.

The lawsuit seeks to address the abuse of power and trust that Aber’s actions represent, holding him and other involved parties accountable for their roles in the unauthorized and inappropriate viewing of strip-search recordings. The legal action serves as a means of seeking justice and reparation for the affected individuals and as a reminder of the paramount importance of upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their circumstances.

As the case progresses, the implications of the allegations against Aber and the Sheriff’s Office will continue to unfold. The outcome of this legal action may have far-reaching consequences for the correctional system and the treatment of inmates within detention facilities. The accountability of those entrusted with the care and oversight of incarcerated individuals is paramount in maintaining a just and equitable system that upholds the rights and dignity of all individuals.