NATCHEZ — A former Adams County inmate has filed a federal lawsuit seeking $2.5 million on allegations he was threatened for complaining about health concerns.

The handwritten complaint by inmate Jerome Kendrell Harris was filed July 22 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi in Natchez and names Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield, Capt. Ed Tucker and Lt. Gerald Cornwell as well as “Mrs. Leah” as defendants. Harris has since been released from jail.

In the filing, Harris alleges he told “Mrs. Leah” — who he said is a nurse in the jail — that he had been diagnosed with life-threatening blood clots and was promised medical attention, but never received it.

The suit also alleges that Harris was threatened with being placed in a lockdown cell or being Tased if he continued to complain about the issue from February to April.

The $2.5 million the suit seeks includes compensatory, punitive and nominal damages.

Mayfield said he has been notified of the suit but has not seen a copy of it.

The sheriff also said he does not know who the “Mrs. Leah” referred to in the suit is, and that jail staff would “absolutely, positively not” threaten to Tase an inmate seeking medical attention.

“We take care of our people,” he said.

But Mayfield also said that any lawsuits regarding medical treatment would be handled by Southern Health Partners, the company that provides health service to the jail.

“Anything that has to do with jail medications, they are more liable, and that is part of why we (contracted) with them,” Mayfield said.

The sheriff said he expects the suit to be thrown out.

“If someone needs medical help they are getting it — it is no skin off our back if they need medical help,” Mayfield said. “It is to our advantage that they get the medical help that they need.”