Former Phoenix inmate arrested for falsely claiming assaults during incarceration

PHOENIX - Maricopa County Sheriff’s detectives arrested a former inmate for falsely reporting that he was assaulted by detention officers while in jail for a different crime.

Kolton Clark, 18, was taken into sheriff's office custody by Phoenix police on two counts of misdemeanor assault and stated that while incarcerated, he was assaulted.

Detectives immediately investigated the claims after learning that Clark’s family had concerns that he was potentially beaten, "tased," and maced inside an isolation safe cell, according to police.

Clark was unwilling to provide detailed information about the assaults without consulting an attorney even though he was simply being asked a question in the perspective of his being a victim.

Police say he refused to answer any other questions from detectives.

Surveillance video from the 4th Avenue Jail showed no evidence of any assaults or incidents involving the use of force by the officers.

Phoenix police also say that Clark can be heard in recorded telephone conversations in which he tells his mother that he planned the story to “prove a point” and to “pull the racial card” against Sheriff Joe Arpaio for his own financial gain.

Clark’s mother said in the phone calls that if they won the settlement, they could get as much as $4 million.  

Other recorded conversations include Clark telling his mother that he sustained injuries before his arrest and that he was pepper sprayed by a security guard at his apartment complex.

"We always take claims of abuse in our jails seriously and immediately conduct thorough investigations, but this is a prime example of what we are up against sometimes. People often take advantage of what they hear in the media and exploit false public perceptions for personal financial gain and that is frustrating,” Maricopa County Sheriff's Office's Chief of Custody Mike Olson said in a news release.

According to the news release, Clark has also appeared on an Internet radio talk show with his father about the trauma over the assault situation.

Clark was arrested Friday for false reporting to law enforcement officers under these reports.