Former Elgin resident alleges abuse at Winnebago County jail
The Winnebago County sheriff's office is investigating a complaint by a former Elgin resident who said a county jail officer slammed his head into a wall and used an anti-gay slur.
Malik Moreno, 21, alleges he was abused by the officer after he was arrested in the early morning of March 10 when he drove his mother's car into a ditch. Moreno later was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to reduce speed, court records show.
According to Moreno's account, the officer hung up on Moreno's phone call from jail with his mother, saying he was too loud. Moreno said he told the officer, "Are you (expletive) kidding me?" The officer told him to sit down, and Moreno said he made another comment referencing the officer's appearance.
About 20 minutes later, Moreno said, the officer took him to another room so Moreno could change into a jail uniform. Moreno said the officer grabbed him by the neck behind his ears and slammed his head into a cement wall.
Moreno said the officer then pushed him down and made him crawl "in a frog position" across the floor into the main room. The officer said an anti-gay slur, then released him, Moreno said. Other officers made him stay down a bit longer, and then he was taken to a cell, he said. Moreno's mother, Shawn Moreno, said she picked him up from jail several hours later and drove to their current home in South Beloit.
She said she called 911 to make a police report and took her son to a hospital emergency room in Rockford. Malik Moreno's hospital paperwork shows a diagnosis of head injury and neck strain and a prescription for pain medication.
The Morenos filed a complaint with the Winnebago County sheriff's office. Citing the pending investigation, the office denied a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by the Daily Herald asking for written and video records of Moreno's booking.
Winnebago County Jail Superintendent Bob Redmond declined to say whether the officer in question remains on duty at the jail. Moreno pleaded not guilty to the charges and is due in court April 11, records show.