(This story has been updated to include new information.)
A former Macomb County corrections deputy is facing criminal charges, accused of assaulting an inmate at the county jail in September, according to the county prosecutor’s office.
Daniel Gallus III, 37, was arraigned Oct. 9 on charges of obstruction of justice, a five-year felony, and aggravated assault, a one-year misdemeanor, in 41B District Court in Clinton Township, according to a news release from the prosecutor’s office and online court records.
He is accused of assaulting a male inmate at the jail, located in Mount Clemens, on Sept. 5, resulting in the inmate needing a head scan and stitches at a hospital, according to the release.
No additional details about the assault were immediately available.
Sheriff’s Commander Jason Abro on Oct. 10 said Gallus, who was hired in November 2022, was immediately suspended the day of the incident. Gallus was on unpaid leave once he was criminally charged, and he was terminated after his arraignment, Abro said.
“These are allegations and my client is presumed to be innocent, something I don’t belive the jail or prosecutor’s office understands,” Gallus’ attorney, Michael J. Dennis, said Oct. 10, adding that he is awaiting to see evidence in the case, such as reports and video.
Dennis said that he understands that Gallus is married with two children, has an unblemished record with the sheriff’s office and that his father is a 16-year deputy with the office. Dennis said he believes the case is a “travesty of justice” and he is confounded by the obstrution of justice charge.
Dennis said from his understanding the inmate was causing a problem; Gallus was in there to help out, and there were other corrections officers around. He said he understands that the inmate came at Gallus; Gallus went to grab the inmate; there was a door that was cracked open, and they went through the door.
Dennis said one of the reasons given for Gallus’ firing was that his body camera was not activated, but his understanding is there were other corrections officers in the area and they, too, did not have their body cameras on.
“At best case scenario, this was an accident,” Dennis said.
Gallus pleaded not guilty and a $10,000 personal bond was set during his arraignment, according to court records. A probable cause conference is scheduled for Oct. 20.
In the release, Sheriff Anthony Wickerham said: “We are aware of the charges filed against one of our Corrections Deputies. The Sheriff’s Office holds all personnel to the highest professional and ethical standards, especially regarding the use of force. While the legal process unfolds, we remain committed to transparency, accountability, and maintaining the public’s trust.”
Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in the release: “I want to be clear: in Macomb County, everyone is treated the same under the law. No one is above the law, regardless of profession or position. At the same time, every individual is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. We must allow the justice system to run its course.”
Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X: @challreporter.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Former Macomb County corrections deputy accused of assaulting a jail inmate
Reporting by Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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