A former #StLouis area #police officer, Marcellis Blackwell, faces a new federal indictment for sexually assaulting 19 men while in custody, bringing the total number of victims to 27.
According to the indictment, assaults occurred between November 2022 and June 2023, with Blackwell charged with 19 counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and 17 counts of altering records in a federal investigation.
In September, a federal indictment accused Blackwell of groping eight men he’d handcuffed. According to court records, Blackwell has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges filed in September.
One instance involves him being accused of sodomizing a man. Additionally, about 15 instances of kidnapping are mentioned. Blackwell served a year with the North County Police Cooperative before the allegations surfaced.
Previously indicted for assaulting eight men, he pleaded not guilty. His attorney declined to comment. The #FBI has established a hotline for potential victims.
The heinous actions of former officer Marcellis Blackwell stress the systemic abuse and exploitation rampant within policing. We condemn the egregious violations of human rights and dignity perpetrated against the 19 detained men, further highlighting the vulnerability of individuals subjected to police custody.
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Link: NBCNews
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