MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two female jail detainees have filed a federal lawsuit against a Tennessee county after they say they were sexually assaulted by a male detainee when men were put in the women’s jail due to overcrowding.
Both plaintiffs were housed in the women’s facility in Shelby County. Last year, male inmates were also being housed there because of overcrowding, they say.
The lawsuit claims there was a known faulty cell door that allowed detainees to access other cells.
The women say on Nov. 12, a male guard deliberately opened that cell door and allowed a male detainee access to other cells, as another female guard watched.
The two female detainees say the alleged attacker then put on a mask, walked into their cells and sexually assaulted them.
They say it was not reported by the guards.
NewsNation affiliate WREG has reached out to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office for a response.