CLERMONT, CO. — A Clermont County corrections officer was indicted by a grand jury and is set to face multiple charges stemming from a use-of-force investigation involving an inmate, Clermont County Prosecutor Mark Tekulve said on Tuesday.
Matthew Mullenix was charged with two counts of felonious assault. He could serve between two and eight years in prison for each charge.
This indictment is in connection with an incident that took place at the Clermont County Jail back in July 2026.
On July 7 around 3:29 p.m., Mullenix entered an inmate's cell to find them with a shirt wrapped around their neck. Tekulve said the officer removed the shirt and proceeded to "repeatedly and unnecessarily" strike the inmate, causing "significant" injuries. The inmate was then secured by Mullenix.
Mullenix was placed on administrative leave as investigators worked to look into this incident.
Watch to see body camera footage from the alleged incident inside the Clermont County Jail:
The Clermont County Sheriff's Office reviewed medical records, body camera footage and witness reports. The facts of the investigation were then handed to the prosecutors, who determined that Mullenix used unnecessary force to secure the inmate, according to Tekulve.
Sheriff Chris Stratton issued the following statement in regard to this development:
"Let me be clear: no one in this office is above the law. When an employee is accused of breaking the law, violating our policies, or betraying the public's trust, we take those allegations seriously. We will look at the facts, follow the evidence, and take appropriate action.
I do not care what position someone holds, how long they have worked here, or what their rank or title is. The law and rules apply to everyone, and everyone will be held accountable for their actions."
Mullenix appeared in court for his arraignment Wednesday morning. He pleaded not guilty and was given a $15,000 bond.
“The defendant unreasonably escalated his use of force upon R.D. in contradiction to his training and department policy by delivering multiple fist strikes without giving R.D. an opportunity to comply with his demands," Chief Felony Assistant Prosecutor Laura Baron Allen said.
His attorney, Stew Matthews, spoke with the media following the hearing.
"I've tried a number of cases that involve body-worn cameras, and they never tell the whole story. So, there's a whole lot more to this than that little bit of body camera video that has been released," Matthews said.
