May 31, 2016 3 min read

An Ohio man is suing Washington County, the county jail warden and four unnamed guards in federal court, alleging the correctional officers assaulted him without provocation following his arrest in a disorderly conduct incident.

Greg Stumbo, 43, of Trumbull County, Ohio, is seeking damages from Washington County, Warden John Temas and the correctional officers – identified in the lawsuit only as John Doe 1 through 4 – over his treatment after he was arrested in connection with an incident outside Hilton Garden Inn at the Southpointe development in Cecil.

Court records indicate Cecil Township police arrested Stumbo May 29, 2014. He later pleaded guilty to a summary charge of disorderly conduct.

Lawyers for Stumbo wrote in a complaint filed Friday in the U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh the correctional officers assaulted Stumbo twice at the jail following his arrest. The first beating was upon his arrival at the jail, Stumbo alleges the guards forced him from the squad car in which he arrived and then beat and Maced him without provocation.

Stumbo alleges the second assault – during which the guards beat, kicked, kneed, choked and Maced him – occurred in the jail showers while he was already “blind and functionally incapacitated” from the first assault, according to the lawsuit.

He was in handcuffs for both of the alleged attacks, according to the lawsuit.

County officials said they hadn’t received Stumbo’s complaint when reached Tuesday.

“This is the first I’ve heard about it,” said Deputy Warden Edward Strawn, who is not named as a defendant. “So for me to comment on it would be premature.”

County solicitor J. Lynn DeHaven wasn’t familiar with the allegations lodged by Stumbo. He said the lawsuit will be referred to the county’s insurance provider which will appoint counsel when officials receive it.

Temas couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.

Stumbo’s injuries included traumatic brain injury, facial contusions, eye injuries, a broken rib and severe bruising, according to the lawsuit.

Stumbo allegedly complained to Washington police following the incident. The lawsuit doesn’t specify when he did so or whether any action was taken based on his complaint.

Stumbo’s lawsuit accuses the guards of excessive use of force and assault and battery.

The lawsuit accuses Washington County and Temas of failing to properly train, supervise and discipline correctional officers.

All defendants are accused of violating Stumbo’s rights under the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by subjecting him to cruel and unusual punishment.