KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office announced disciplinary action Thursday following an internal investigation into a troubling incident in which seven inmates were left unattended in a transport van for approximately two hours on May 12.
The department revealed that four employees were found to have violated written policies. One deputy is no longer with the sheriff’s office, though officials declined to clarify whether the individual resigned or was terminated. A sergeant implicated in the investigation was demoted to deputy and will be retrained as part of the disciplinary process. Two other deputies received counseling regarding the proper adherence to departmental directives.
According to officials, the inmates were left inside a van parked in the jail’s secure garage area during warm weather conditions. One of the inmates, Dominique Motton, later described the experience as unbearable.
“Mind you, it was already 80 degrees outside,” Motton told News 8. “We tried to take off our clothes but we really couldn’t because we were in belly chains and shackles. Imagine you’re playing basketball, 80 degrees outside for a 40-minute game — that’s how bad we were sweating.”
The situation escalated when one inmate broke out a security window and exited the van, subsequently unlocking it to free the others. The group remained in the garage until one inmate used an intercom to call for assistance. No serious injuries were reported.
The sheriff’s office said that staff had been responding to an unrelated medical emergency at the time, during which an inmate died. The department placed six employees on administrative leave during the investigation, with four later returning to duty.
In response to the incident, the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office has implemented new protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The agency is also reviewing existing jail policies, particularly those related to inmate transportation.
“The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office is committed to improving in any areas necessary to not only prevent this type of incident but also improve the safety and security of our facility for residents, staff, and visitors,” the office said in a statement.
The incident has drawn criticism and raised questions about oversight, staff training, and how emergencies are managed in custodial environments. The department’s response, including policy revisions and disciplinary actions, aims to restore public trust and prevent further lapses in inmate care.
