Cuyahoga Officials Question Deputy’s Credibility – The Marshall Project

Report on Criminal Justice System Integrity and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals in Cuyahoga County, Ohio

Date of Report: 09.11.2025

This report analyzes recent events within the Cuyahoga County criminal justice system, evaluating their implications for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Enhancing Institutional Accountability in Alignment with SDG 16

Recent developments highlight critical challenges and progress in building effective, accountable, and transparent institutions (SDG 16.6) within Cuyahoga County’s law enforcement agencies.

Credibility Review of Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Deputy

An ongoing review of a Sheriff’s Deputy underscores the importance of accountability for achieving justice and maintaining public trust, a cornerstone of SDG 16.

• The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office is assessing the credibility of Deputy Kasey Loudermilk following allegations that he was dishonest during the hiring process.
• This action was prompted by reports that the Sheriff’s Department had been warned about the deputy’s alleged dishonesty but proceeded with his employment.
• The deputy has been involved in high-speed pursuits resulting in the deaths of two bystanders and a fleeing driver, raising significant concerns about operational conduct and its impact on public safety, which is essential for Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11).
• The prosecutor’s office is determining potential issues with the deputy’s ability to testify in court, a matter that directly affects the administration of fair justice (SDG 16.3).

Bodycam Footage Release Policy Update

In a positive step toward transparency and accountability (SDG 16.6), the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department has updated its policies regarding the release of bodycam footage.

• Footage from a high-speed pursuit in late August that resulted in a bystander’s death was released within seven business days.
• This policy change follows investigative reporting on previous delays and promotes the transparency necessary for building strong public institutions.

Correctional System Challenges and Their Impact on SDGs

The stability and effectiveness of correctional facilities are integral to the justice system. Current issues in Cuyahoga County and Ohio prisons present obstacles to achieving SDG 3 and SDG 16.

Leadership Instability at Cuyahoga County Jail

Frequent leadership changes at the Cuyahoga County Jail undermine efforts to establish stable and effective institutions (SDG 16).

• Warden Alfred Wilcox resigned on September 2, after approximately one year in the position.
• This event continues a pattern of high turnover in jail administration, which can degrade institutional knowledge and hinder consistent policy implementation.
• Stable leadership is crucial for ensuring safe and humane conditions, a prerequisite for upholding the rule of law.

Substance Abuse Crisis in Ohio Prisons

The widespread issue of drug use within Ohio prisons directly contravenes SDG 3, which calls for strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse (Target 3.5).

• Reports from Pickaway Correctional Institution indicate that incarcerated individuals with significant potential are unable to overcome addiction due to the prevalence of illicit drugs.
• The current approach is reported to be more punitive than therapeutic, failing to address substance abuse disorders and perpetuating a cycle of incarceration.
• This systemic failure in rehabilitation undermines the justice system’s goal of reducing recidivism and promoting peaceful societies (SDG 16).

Regional Justice Initiatives and Community Safety Metrics

A summary of regional developments reflects ongoing efforts and challenges in promoting justice, reducing inequality (SDG 10), and ensuring community safety (SDG 11).

Key Developments

1. Officer Indictments: A former Cleveland police officer and a former narcotics agent were indicted for allegedly profiling and assaulting a truck driver. This case highlights the critical need to ensure equal access to justice for all and combat discrimination (SDG 16.3, SDG 10.3).
2. Homicide Rates: While homicides in Cleveland have decreased by 30% in the first half of the year, a stark disparity remains between the city and its suburbs. This data is relevant to SDG 11’s goal of creating safe and inclusive cities.
3. Hate Crime Legislation: A bipartisan bill has been introduced to expand state hate crime laws. This legislative effort directly supports SDG 10 by seeking to reduce inequalities and protect vulnerable groups.
4. Immigrant Detention Contracts: A legal opinion from the Ohio Attorney General has clarified that county commissioners, not sheriffs, hold the authority to contract for the detention of immigrants. The subsequent challenge by the ACLU of Ohio regarding existing contracts raises fundamental questions about the rule of law and institutional authority (SDG 16).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article addresses health issues within the criminal justice system, specifically focusing on substance abuse among the incarcerated population. It highlights the significant problem of drug use in Ohio prisons and the lack of adequate treatment, which directly pertains to the health and well-being of inmates.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The text covers multiple facets of the justice system, including the integrity and accountability of law enforcement officers (the case of Deputy Kasey Loudermilk), the stability of correctional institutions (the resignation of the jail warden), efforts to reduce violence (homicide rates), and the transparency of police operations (release of bodycam footage). These topics are central to building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

     The article directly relates to this target by discussing the prevalence of drug use in Ohio prisons. It states, “Ohio has a serious drug problem in prisons, one that undermines safety and stunts rehabilitation.” It further explains that addiction is “more often punished than treated behind bars” and cites a national statistic from the Prison Policy Initiative that “90% of the incarcerated population who qualified did not receive addiction treatment” from 2009 to 2019.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

     This target is addressed through the mention of violent crime and deaths related to law enforcement activities. The article notes that Deputy Loudermilk was “involved in high-speed chases that killed two bystanders and the driver of a fleeing car.” It also reports on crime statistics, stating, “Homicides are down 30% in Cleveland, compared to the first six months of last year.”

   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

     The article touches on this target by highlighting cases of alleged injustice and efforts to strengthen legal protections. It reports that a grand jury indicted two former officers “for allegedly profiling and assaulting a Texas truck driver while off-duty.” Additionally, it mentions that “Bipartisan state lawmakers introduced a bill to expand hate crimes to cover political affiliation and sex,” which is an effort to ensure equal justice.

   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

     This target is central to the article. The case of Deputy Loudermilk, who was accused of “lying during the hiring process,” and the subsequent review of his credibility by the prosecutor’s office, directly concerns institutional accountability. The instability at the Cuyahoga County Jail, described as a “revolving door of administrators,” points to challenges in maintaining effective institutions. Conversely, the new policy to release bodycam footage “within seven business days” is a clear step towards greater institutional transparency.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for SDG 3

  • Implied Indicator (for Target 3.5): Proportion of incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders receiving treatment. The article implies this indicator by citing a statistic that “90% of the incarcerated population who qualified did not receive addiction treatment.”
  • Mentioned Indicator (for Target 3.5): Number of drug-related infractions in correctional facilities. The article provides data for this, stating that from 2023 to 2024, “overall drug infractions nearly doubled.”

• Indicators for SDG 16

  • Mentioned Indicator (for Target 16.1): Homicide rate. The article explicitly provides a statistic related to this indicator: “Homicides are down 30% in Cleveland.”
  • Implied Indicator (for Target 16.1): Number of deaths and injuries resulting from law enforcement operations. This is implied by the mention of “high-speed chases that killed two bystanders and the driver of a fleeing car.”
  • Implied Indicator (for Target 16.3): Number of law enforcement officers prosecuted for misconduct. The indictment of two officers for assault and profiling serves as a data point for this indicator.
  • Mentioned Indicator (for Target 16.6): Existence and adherence to policies on public access to information. The article directly mentions a new policy and its specific timeframe: the Sheriff’s Department released bodycam footage “within seven business days of the late August incident.”
  • Implied Indicator (for Target 16.6): Rate of turnover in senior management of public institutions. The article implies this by describing the situation at the Cuyahoga jail as a “revolving door of administrators,” which degrades “institutional knowledge.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: themarshallproject.org