Fired jail guard under FBI scrutiny

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Phil Stake
Staff writer

GALLUP — A former captain at Gallup McKinley Adult Detention Center who was fired last month under a mysterious cloud of misconduct is now the subject of an FBI violation of civil rights investigation.

McKinley County fired 19-year veteran Johnny Greene, 64, Jan. 23, after two female inmates accused him of sexual misconduct. The related criminal investigation announced by FBI spokesman Todd Hulsey on Feb. 6 indicates that Greene may also face federal abuse-of-power charges, known among law enforcement as “color of law” abuses by a public official.

Hulsey would not say specifically what accusations, evidence or additional victims prompted the investigation, citing its “ongoing nature.”

“In instances in which allegations are made that a public official has misused governmental authority to deprive a person of their constitutional rights, the FBI typically opens an investigation based on those allegations pursuant to Title 18 ... ‘Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law,’ to determine whether there is or has been actual criminal conduct on the part of the government official in question,” Hulsey wrote in an e-mail.

McKinley County Attorney Doug Decker said Friday that Greene missed the deadline to file a grievance.

“He has missed out on the last option he had to appeal the termination,” Decker said.

Greene declined comment Friday, saying he wants to meet with his attorney before speaking publicly.

Anyone with information about the investigation may contact the FBI’s Gallup office at (505) 726-6002.