ON NOVEMBER 5, 2024, CHARGES AGAINST DEPUTY KAIYELL SANDERS WERE DROPPED.
Deputy Kaiyell Sanders had no idea that his dedicated and faithful service in law enforcement could lead to a life altering criminal charge. But on March 6, 2023, that’s exactly what happened.
Kaiyell and several of his colleagues from the Henrico County, VA Sheriff’s Office were assigned to transport a violent and actively resisting detainee to a state operated mental health hospital. The detainee, Irvo Otieno, had been arrested days earlier for assaulting police officers. Otieno, who appeared to be in mental health crisis, resisted confinement for several days before he was transported.
Upon his arrival at Central State Hospital, Otieno was taken to an intake area before he began having medical distress. Deputies and medical staff began resuscitation efforts, but Mr. Otieno ultimately died. Video evidence confirms that very minimal force was used on Mr. Otieno. In fact, deputies took great care to ensure that Otieno did not injure himself in the process of resisting.
Unfortunately, then-Commonwealth’s Attorney for Dinwiddie County, VA immediately gave in to the anti-police mob; charging Kaiyell, along with other deputies and hospital workers, with Murder. She brought charges reflexively and before the matter could be properly investigated.
In an effort to salvage their case, prosecutors subsequently reduced the charges against Kaiyell from Murder to Involuntary Manslaughter. But he isn’t guilty of any crime and all charges should be dropped immediately!
The first defendant to stand trial in this case, a hospital worker, was acquitted by a jury of his peers after just a few minutes of deliberation.
Since he was a young child, Kaiyell Sanders always wanted to help others. Recognizing the opportunity to help others through law enforcement service, Kaiyell began his career with the Henrico County Department of Juvenile Justice, later becoming a Henrico County Sheriff’s Deputy. Becoming a deputy sheriff was a dream come true for Kaiyell. Sadly, his dream has come crashing down on him as he has been unfairly caught in the political crossfire around policing in our country.
