LORAIN COUNTY — A federal lawsuit seeking $40 million in damages has been filed against a Lorain County corrections officer after an inmate was left paralyzed in a 2023 jailhouse incident.
The suit, brought by inmate Jeffrey Fry, alleges that corrections officer Brian Tellier used excessive force while escorting Fry through the Lorain County Jail on May 12, 2023. Fry had been booked on a misdemeanor bench warrant and was handcuffed at the time of the incident.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Tellier suddenly grabbing Fry and slamming him headfirst into a wall. Fry suffered a broken neck and was left partially paralyzed. Initially, Tellier claimed that Fry had fallen due to intoxication, but a subsequent internal investigation found inconsistencies in that account and concluded that force had been used improperly.
The FBI launched an investigation into the incident, and Tellier was placed on paid administrative leave in early 2025 following the appointment of Sheriff Jack Hall. Hall also established a new Inspector General’s Office, which reviewed the case and submitted its findings to the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office for further consideration. Prosecutors are now determining whether to present the case to a grand jury for potential criminal charges.
The lawsuit names both Tellier and the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, alleging violations of Fry’s civil rights under federal law.
The incident has drawn broader scrutiny to the practices at the Lorain County Jail, which has faced other recent allegations of excessive force. The outcome of both the federal lawsuit and the prosecutor’s review could have significant implications for the facility and its personnel policies.
No criminal charges have been filed as of yet, and Tellier remains on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.