Deputy Sued for Unlawful Body Cavity Search

A lawsuit that was filed Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in Clark Circuit Court, accuses Clark County Deputy Sheriff Cory Cornett, 26, of battery, intrusion, negligence and outrage due to an unlawful search of a female, who is seeking punitive damages.

The female claims that Deputy Cornett violated her privacy when he illegally video recorded her strip search while being placed in custody of the detention center, according to court documents.

According to court documents on July 30, 2024, Cornett transported the female and two men to the jail. Jail deputy Rhonda Roe was conducting intake questions of the woman, who admitted she had contraband.

According to court documents, when Cornett discovered the woman was concealing contraband on her person he said, “Let’s go, Dude! I love it. That is what I’m talking about, Boys,”

The detention center began to perform a strip search, which Cornett insisted he record on his body camera as evidence for court proceedings. He said he would remove the contraband himself saying, “I’ve got to go up there and extract this out (of her).”

According to court documents, Corrections Deputy Ashlee Perry tried to explain that they typically have the arrestee remove the contraband themselves. The female was given no option to remove the contraband herself. However, senior deputies said the recording would help the case. Also, according to Ashlee Perry, Deputy Roe was the senior deputy, and at this point, she felt that no matter what she said, she would not their minds.

According to Clark County Sheriff’s Department policies, a deputy is only permitted to conduct a body cavity search when given expressed permission by the Sheriff or with a signed warrant from a judge. Former Deputy Cornett had neither of these documents, according to court documents.

Cornett can be seen on video advising the women deputies that he needed to be present during the search, conducting the search himself,  saying he had been trained to do it. Video shows Cornett use his flashlight to shine into the cavity, according to the incident reports.

In December 2024, Cornett was charged with 2nd Degree Official Misconduct, which is a misdemeanor.

Then, at his first court hearing in February, Cornet pleaded not guilty. He was terminated from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office shortly before criminal charges were filed.


ALL ARE INNOCENT TILL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW