MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A Maryland woman has filed a lawsuit against the Monongalia County Commission alleging she was sexually assaulted by a murder suspect while being transported to the North Central Regional Jail.
The lawsuit says Alicia Wyatt turned herself in to the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department on an outstanding warrant on Jan. 17, 2024, and was waiting in a jail van with then murder suspect Jonathan Ramirez.
Ramirez was charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Learfield Sports employee Jacob Lough. Ramirez was ultimately convicted and sentenced to life in prison with no mercy.
Court documents said the two were placed in the van with one row of seating separating them. Neither was restrained in any way other than handcuffs.
As the van waited to enter the grounds of the North Central Regional Jail, the lawsuit alleges Ramirez attacked Wyatt, pinning her to the floor.
Wyatt alleges the assault continued for more than a minute while the jail officer only attempted to intervene verbally.
When the officer opened the door, Wyatt was able to exit, and the officer subdued Ramirez with pepper spray.
Wyatt was transported to a local emergency room for treatment and evaluation.
The filing also states the jail officer apologized to Wyatt and explained he wasn’t sure what to do when the incident occurred.
An internal investigation did determine the officer was not properly trained and that the two prisoners were not buckled in as per department policy.
Wyatt is suing for negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and negligent supervision and failure to train. She is seeking compensatory damages and general damages for past, present, and future pain, suffering, mental anguish, permanent injury, annoyance, inconvenience, embarrassment, and humiliation; loss of enjoyment of life and severe emotional distress, plus attorney costs and any additional relief the court would agree to.