Two Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office deputies have been charged with misconduct in connection with the deaths of two adults in custody.
Corrections deputies James Brauckmiller and Michael Mersereau were investigated separately and indicted by a grand jury Wednesday, on one count each of first-degree official misconduct.
The sheriff’s office announced the charges this morning but did not share details about the investigations or the deaths they were connected to.
Both deputies are on administrative leave. Law enforcement or correctional officers rarely face criminal penalties for incidents that occur on duty.
The sheriff’s office this year reported the largest spike in jail deaths in at least 15 years. Seven people have died in the custody of the Multnomah County Jail since May 1.
Related: Multnomah County investigating spike in jail deaths