OLATHE, KS (KCTV) -
A Kansas judge acquitted a former Miami County jailer of accusations that he abused inmates.
Former Miami County inmate Chris Johnson says he was surprised the judge found 63-year-old Dennis Roberts not guilty of four misdemeanor charges, including two counts of battery and two counts of mistreatment of a confined person.
"What it sets is a bad precedent that jailers can get away with some of the things that happened with this case, and in the other individual's case, it sets a bad precedent that jailers can get away with anything they want to," Johnson said.
Roberts was charged in February following an investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigations. The allegations occurred in 2009 after an inmate claimed he was hit with shocks from a Taser 10 to 15 times.
Videotape of an encounter between Roberts and one of the inmates was part of the case file.
Former Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison, now a defense attorney, represented Roberts. Morrison said his client was vindicated and it was important for those who know him to know that.
"The sad thing about this is even if you're acquitted, your reputation is still sullied. What I try to do is feel like they at least got some justice out of the deal," Morrison said.
Roberts' wife, Beth, spoke to KCTV5 via telephone Wednesday afternoon.
"Oh my gosh, you have no idea how thrilled we are," she said. "It has been very, very stressful. We have been brokenhearted."
Beth Roberts said her husband had a stellar career, and these allegations have tarnished his reputation.
"He retired from KCK after 25 years of service. He was in the Marine Corps, prior to that he was a Vietnam vet. He was one year away from retiring from Miami County," she said. "There was no basis for this."
Morrison said his client won't sue and is eager to put this behind him and move on with his life. Dennis Roberts, who resigned from Miami County, won't return to law enforcement, his wife of 44 years said.
Dennis Roberts turns 64 next month.
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