JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. -- An inmate at the Clark County Jail who says he is a Messianic Jew claims the sheriff is violating his constitutional rights by not serving him kosher meals.
Steven W. Bowers, 45, filed a handwritten complaint Friday with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
In the complaint, Bowers says Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel has "failed to give me the bare minimum of constitutional rights to choose, observe and practice my religion to my very best."
Bowers identifies himself in the complaint as a Messianic Jew who observes and follows all Jewish holidays and who keeps a kosher diet.
Messianic Jews combine the Christian belief that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah with Jewish tradition and customs – such as keeping a kosher diet. The religion is believed to have fewer than 500,000 adherents worldwide.
Bowers, who was arrested on December 10 of last year on charges of false informing, as well as two outstanding warrants for violating the terms of his home detention, claims he has
"been forced to eat food from unclean animals or starve."
He also notes that a fire earlier this year in the jail caused him to have to breathe smoke for more than 10 minutes, causing his respiratory distress.
The Clark County Sheriff's office said that the fire was started in a small trash can by another inmate and that all inmates in the area were treated by medical staff. The air quality was also checked before allowing inmates to return to that section of the jail.
Indiana court records show Bowers has previous convictions for theft, possession of cocaine, harassment, burglary and criminal conversion.
In his complaint, Bowers asks for $310,000 in damages, and for the jail to clean the exhaust vents.
Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel issued the following response to RTV6 regarding the lawsuit:
“The Clark County Jail supports all religious beliefs and makes accommodations as soon as possible after a request is received from an inmate. Inmates can file inquiries and grievances via a kiosk in each section.”
