When a jail commander abuses his power for years without consequences, it’s not just a crime — it’s a failure of the entire system.

Over a span of at least five years, former jail commander Edward Aber reportedly watched strip-search videos of 117 female inmates over 3,000 times, allegedly for his own sexual gratification. These videos, some viewed from hotels late at night, included deeply invasive footage that women were forced to endure during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Aber has been charged with 118 misdemeanors. But that is nowhere near enough.

These women were already serving their time. They did not consent to being surveilled, violated, and dehumanized for the private satisfaction of a man in power. And worse — red flags were ignored. A woman was reportedly found hiding under Aber’s desk. He had a prior sexual harassment complaint before being hired. And he had unchecked access to a system storing explicit footage of women — for years.

Now survivors like K.T., I.W., and C.B. are left to live with the knowledge that they were watched, again and again, without their consent. They worry that their images have been copied or shared. They feel humiliated, betrayed, and retraumatized. And they deserve justice.

We demand full accountability — not just for Edward Aber, but for the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office and every official who failed to stop this. We call for:

• Felony charges that reflect the severity of the abuse.
• Independent investigations into the sheriff’s office and its policies.
• A permanent end to the storage of invasive strip-search videos without strict oversight.
• Transparent restitution and apology for every woman affected.

Sheriff Sean Smith and the La Plata County Board of Commissioners must act immediately. Justice delayed is justice denied — and these women have already waited far too long.

Sign this petition to demand accountability, protect future inmates, and ensure this kind of abuse can never happen again in Colorado — or anywhere.