Mon County officer left a woman unbelted in a jail van with a murder suspect, suit says
On Jan. 17, 2024, a Maryland woman who surrendered on a warrant was placed in a Monongalia County Sheriff's Office transport van with Jonathan Ramirez, who had just been charged with murder. A lawsuit filed in Monongalia County Circuit Court in January 2026 says neither was belted or restrained beyond handcuffs, that Ramirez attacked and sexually assaulted her for about 1 minute 25 seconds, and that process officer Donald Gorbey gave only verbal commands, then left her unattended for about 40 more seconds, though cameras let him watch both passengers. The sheriff's office's own internal investigation found Gorbey violated policy by not securing them. Ramirez was later convicted of murder. The suit against the County Commission alleges negligence and failure to train. No county response was reported; the case is pending.
The transport van was equipped with cameras that allowed Gorbey to observe both passengers at all times, the lawsuit states.
Neither was restrained in any way other than handcuffs.
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