Orange Co. Imam, accused in alleged terror plot, sues Seminole Co. jail

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange County Imam, accused in an alleged terrorist plot, is suing the Seminole County Jail.

Imam Abu Taubah, who is convicted felon Marcus Robertson, pleaded guilty to having an illegal gun.

He's being held at the Seminole County Jail until his tax fraud trial, which prosecutors said was part of a plot to kill U.S. military personnel overseas.

Robertson said he’s in emotional and physical distress because of what he calls filthy conditions and unfair treatment. Robertson even said he was attacked by another inmate.

Robertson is suing for $200,000 in damages, said he wants the jail to be closed and demanded a federal investigation.

Robertson said he's fought off sexual offenders and now sleeps wearing shoes.

He said the lights are too bright too long, but complained about feeling like he's "underground in a grave" because of what he calls a lack of sunlight.

Robertson claims religious discrimination because he said he's not allowed to wear his religious cap.

He also said jail guards made discriminating comments.

When asked about the lawsuit, Eyewitness News Legal Analyst Bill Scheaffer said, "Certainly not the first to complain, won't be the last to complain. You're not at the Ritz-Carlton. You're in a secured facility and most of the time, these complaints are found to be petty and baseless."

Federal prosecutors accuse Robertson of trying to "out" a confidential government source, including through the mail, even though they said he knows there's a plot to kill the informant.

Robertson has since said his mail is being intercepted, he was put in a disciplinary hold cell for 30 days and barred from calling his lawyer.

Jail records show Robertson was disciplined for a month because investigators said he continued to have someone record his phone calls and rebroadcast his statements on the Internet.

WFTV