San Bernardino, CA — A jury in San Bernardino County has handed down a significant $33 million verdict to a man who asserted he was neglected as a child and consequently sexually abused by a deputy sheriff. This hefty compensation includes $27.5 million the county is responsible for, after additional damages were levied against individuals not part of the lawsuit.
The abuse began when the victim, who was 14 at the time, moved in with Deputy Jeremie Russell Cox in Yucca Valley back in 2014. According to the plaintiff’s attorney, Christopher J. Keane, this horrifying ordeal spanned seven years, only ending when he moved out at 21 years old.
Keane expressed hope that the verdict would underscore the importance of taking child abuse and neglect seriously. “It is essential that such tragic situations are met with justice,” Keane remarked, stressing the impact of the jury’s decision to uphold the claims of neglect and abuse made by his client.
Although the county plans to contest the verdict, the details surrounding the case remain sternly criticized by officials and observers alike. “This case is a clear reminder of the critical role that individuals and agencies play in protecting vulnerable members of our community,” Keane added.
The backstory to this tragic narrative began when Cox encountered the victim vandalizing a home with friends. Cox, who had served in the Sheriff’s Department for 25 years and was stationed at the Morongo Basin jail before his arrest in 2021, portrayed himself as a rescuer from a troubled domestic life.
However, the legal proceedings revealed a grimmer reality. In 2022, Cox was sentenced to eight years in state prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts related to sexual abuse of a minor. His parole applications in 2023 and 2024 were denied, highlighting the severity of his offenses.
The lawsuit accused several parties including a welfare fraud investigator and a supervisory deputy of failing to act upon the signs of neglect faced by the boy. This negligence, as per the litigation, facilitated the prolonged abuse. Ultimately, the jury attributed a large portion of the blame to these officials for their failure to report the neglect.
The damages awarded by the jury were split into $11 million for economic losses and $22 million for non-economic damages, reflecting the profound impact of the abuse on the victim’s life. The judge in the case stated that the county was 75% liable for the non-economic damages.
The verdict also pointed toward a neglected duty of care, not only by Cox but implicitly by other figures within the law enforcement and welfare sectors who overlooked critical signs of distress and abuse. This case serves as a poignant reminder of the profound responsibilities held by those in positions of trust and authority, especially when it involves the welfare of children.
As the community grapples with the repercussions of this case, many hope that it will lead to stronger protections against child abuse and more rigorous oversight of welfare and law enforcement practices.