PLAQUEMINES PARISH, La. (WGNO) – Plaquemines Parish Sheriff Lonnie Greco announced that a settlement has been reached in a civil lawsuit against him and a former Sheriff’s deputy who sexually assaulted a woman during an arrest.
Former Deputy Elijah D. Gary was arrested after a 29-year-old woman said that he sexually abused her during an arrest in November of 2012.
Gary was arrested in January of 2013 and pleaded guilty to sexual battery and malfeasance in office and was sentenced to two years in prison.
The victim filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Sheriff and Gary, naming the Sheriff as a defendant because of his position.
Today the Sheriff announced that the case has been settled for a sum of $48,000 in damages.
Sheriff Greco released the following statement about the case:
“When I was elected Sheriff, I pledged transparency to the public. As I have previously stated, members of the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office will be held to a high standard and, if they commit a crime, they will be held accountable for their actions.”