Five separate federal civil rights lawsuits have named the Colorado County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado County, or its officials as defendants in cases spanning from 2014 to 2026. At least one supervisor named in a 2018 prisoner civil rights suit remains employed at CCSO today. The county’s criminal district attorney has been named personally for Brady violations. The current sheriff has been named personally for enforcing void orders. Meanwhile, $2.2 million in federal compliance funds remains unaccounted for and the jail continues to accumulate documented deficiencies.
The Cases #
Ortiz v. Singer (2016) — Excessive Force and Monell Claim A passenger shot 13 times during a multi-agency pursuit involving CCSO Deputy William Lund. She was pregnant and lost one of her twins. The complaint alleged CCSO’s failure to supervise, screen, discipline, and control officers — a direct Monell count. Case remanded to the 25th District Court of Colorado County. Never adjudicated on the merits.
Murphy v. Colorado County Jail (2018) — Deliberate Medical Indifference An inmate suffered a seizure, head trauma, and visible injuries. Jail staff refused entry to the cell, viewed him through door glass only, told him to “shut the hell up,” turned off the intercom, and left him isolated for hours. Named defendants included Lt. Tracey Lewis and Sgt. Brett Vasek. Dismissed procedurally — never adjudicated on the merits. Lt. Lewis remains employed at CCSO today.
Black v. Lee (2025) — Brady Violation, DA Johannes Named Personally Steven Black was arrested in Colorado County on the basis of a false probable cause affidavit. DA Jay Johannes is named in his personal capacity for pushing the prosecution forward despite no probable cause, failing to disclose the arresting officer’s misconduct investigation (Brady violation), and contributing to an unfair trial. Colorado County is named for inadequate hiring, training, and supervision.
Johnson v. Lakeview Loan Servicing (2026) — Monell, Sheriff Lindemann Named Personally Sheriff Justin Lindemann is named in his personal capacity for enforcing void foreclosure orders, assisting unlawful dispossession, and threatening removal without constitutional review. The CCSO is named under Monell for official custom and policy. Filed April 2026. Currently active.
TCJS Compliance Failures #
The Colorado County Jail (rated capacity: 99 beds) has the following documented deficiencies as of April 2026:
- Rust documented as a compliance issue as recently as 2024
- Out-of-compliance sliding doors
- Only one psychiatric cell
- Only 10 female beds — county pays ~$100/day to house female inmates elsewhere
- No space for sheriff’s office staff growth
Sheriff Lindemann stated publicly the facility has gone “30 years without any” upgrades. The jail recently passed its TCJS inspection despite these deficiencies and currently houses approximately 60 inmates — 60 percent of capacity.
$2.2 Million in Federal Funds — No Accounting #
Colorado County received $2.2 million in ARPA Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds designated for jail compliance and infrastructure. The federal audit window runs through 2030. Three years into the grant period, the Sheriff cited rust as an active compliance issue. No public accounting has been provided.
In April 2026, Commissioners Court approved an architectural assessment for a proposed new justice center — without first accounting for the $2.2 million already received.
Pattern #
| Year | Case | Claims | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Ortiz incident | Excessive force, wrongful death | CCSO never defended on merits |
| 2016 | Ortiz v. Singer | §1983 excessive force + Monell | Remanded to county court |
| 2018 | Murphy v. Colorado County Jail | §1983 deliberate medical indifference | Dismissed procedurally |
| 2023 | Black incident | False arrest, Brady violation | Prosecuted by Johannes |
| 2025 | Black v. Lee | §1983, Johannes named personally | Active |
| 2026 | Johnson v. Lakeview | §1983 Monell, Lindemann named personally | Active |
The same institution. No documented corrective action. No public accounting. These are not isolated failures — they are a pattern.
Sources: CourtListener/RECAP, U.S. District Court S.D. Texas (Case Nos. 4:16-cv-03708, 4:18-cv-01246, 4:25-cv-04002, 4:26-cv-03289), 25th District Court Colorado County (Cause No. 24591), Texas Commission on Jail Standards, Colorado County Citizen, public statements by Sheriff Justin Lindemann.