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Former deputy pleads guilty to charges he abused inmates

Posted at 8:15 PM, Aug 30, 2013
and last updated 2013-08-30 22:21:11-04

WASATCH COUNTY, Utah – A former Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office deputy pleaded guilty Thursday to charges he abused two different inmates while he was working as a guard at the Wasatch County Jail.

Christopher Stein Epperson, 35, of Heber City will be sentenced on Nov. 4 on two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law.

Each charge carries the possibility of up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Restitution for the victims is being handled in a parallel civil case.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Epperson admitted that in December of 2009 he physically abused an inmate. He further admitted to physically abusing another inmate in September of 2010. The deputy admitted his conduct caused bodily injury and deprived the victims of their civil rights, according to the release.