Federal Judge Travis McDonough has denied a motion by attorneys for former Hamilton County deputy Daniel Wilkey to halt civil cases against him until his criminal charges are handled.
He made the same order in cases against another former county deputy, Jacob Goforth.
Judge McDonough said in an eight-page ruling, "Taken together, the balance of interest weighs against granting either of the motions to stay this case. Though there is factual overlap between the criminal charges and Plaintiff’s allegations against Wilkey, Wilkey has been indicted, and Wilkey’s own interest weighs in favor of a stay, the Court can invoke less drastic remedies to make sure Wilkey’s rights are protected. Further, the remaining factors counsel against granting a stay."
He also said, "This case concerns allegations of misconduct by Defendant’s Wilkey and Goforth during his employment as a deputy sheriff for Defendant Hamilton County. In particular, Plaintiff’s allegations concern sexual assault and forced baptism during a traffic stop late at night. Defendant Wilkey was indicted in Hamilton County Criminal Court on December 10, 2019, on 44 criminal counts. Five of the counts in the indictment relate to the conduct complained of by Plaintiff: one count of extortion, one count of false imprisonment, one count of official oppression, one count of assault, and one count of stalking. Defendant Goforth was not indicted on any criminal charges relating to this incident."
Judge McDonough said, "The Court has an interest in efficiently managing its docket and resolving the cases before it."