Sauanaffe Tustunnagee
Banned
Murder suspect, Stormy Cofer claims sexual assault against RPSO deputies in civil lawsuit.
One of the suspects charged with the murder of 18-year-old Keiunna Collins has now filed a civil lawsuit against the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office, claiming sexual assault after her arrest.
It is News Channel 5's policy not to identify the victims of sexual assault, but we have received permission from Stormy Cofer's lawyer to identify her.
News Channel 5's Noelle Bellow has more on the lawsuit.
"The lawsuit itself, the petition speaks for itself," said Cofer's lawyer, David Williams.
It's self explanatory and detailed. According to the lawsuit, former deputies John William Benjamin, Donald Weston, and Donald Brown are all accused of using their authority to, as the suit claims, "threaten, intimidate, coerce and extort" the victim to "succumb to their unwanted and unwelcome sexual advances."
The suit claims the acts happened while Cofer was in custody at the Rapides Parish Detention Center, after being arrested for the murder of Collins.
Cofer faces "second degree murder" charges and is currently out on bail. David Williams is representing her in both cases.
Williams said, “I want to be really careful in cases like this, not to attempt to litigate in the media. I don’t want the decision tainted by public perception. I think that’s the reason we have courts of law. It’s real self explanatory I think the petition is."
According to the lawsuit, deputies Benjamin, Weston and Brown were terminated in 2014, after being accused of inappropriate behavior. Sheriff Hilton issued this statement last year, following an investigation:
"We hold our employees to a very high standard, and we will not tolerate this type of behavior. When a deputy decides to abuse the responsibility and authority that comes with being a Rapides Parish Sheriff's Deputy, they will be dismissed for their actions and in this case arrested. The majority of our deputies take this job and the trust the public has placed on them very seriously and act accordingly."
The lawsuit claims the alleged sexual acts of the deputies were an abuse of authority, and Cofer is seeking to be "compensated for her injuries both physical and emotional, past, present and future."
Cofer is expected in court on Monday, April 6.
She will be facing those "second degree murder" charges in the death of Keiunna Collins.
Collins' father, Willie Eggins, Jr. contacted KALB, and says he understands the severity of Cofer's claims made in the civil suit and agrees they need to be dealt with.
However, he fears it will distract from why Cofer was in custody in the first place.
Eggins Jr. said, "It’s a situation where she’s becoming a victim, and its like my daughter is being put on the back burner. And I’m just concerned that her civil suit, that she could use it as a bargaining chip if she’s found guilty, to get a lightened sentence. I miss my daughter very much and I just want justice, I don’t want revenge, I just want justice."
