LEWISTON (AP) - A former Nez Perce County sheriff who was found guilty of being an accessory to burglary has sued the state, contending he was injured while serving time behind bars for the crime.

Jimmy Ray Dorion filed documents in Boise's 4th District Court on Feb. 7 notifying Nez Perce and Clearwater counties, their respective sheriff's offices, the state of Idaho and the Idaho Department of Correction that he is seeking half a million dollars.

Dorion contends he suffered multiple injuries from guards or inmates while in custody, and that jail and prison officials failed to protect him even though they knew his law enforcement history put him at risk of assault.

Prosecutors originally charged Dorion with three felonies, saying that while he was sheriff, he helped Stephen G. Peak evade arrest for a series of burglaries. Two of the charges were ultimately dropped, and Dorion pleaded guilty to one count.

He had other problems during his term as sheriff: Dorion took medical leave in May 2008, telling county officials he had cancer, and then disappeared and couldn't be reached. County commissioners ended up removing him from the sheriff's office that fall.

At the time, Dorion's attorney, Joseph P. Filicetti of Boise, said Dorion had been in pain and believed he had cancer but was actually suffering from a noncancerous pancreatic cyst.

Dorion was sentenced on Aug. 10, 2009, and taken into custody by Nez Perce County sheriff's deputies. He was transferred the same day to the Clearwater County Jail, and three days later to the Idaho Correctional Institution-Orofino.

He was sentenced to up to five years in prison, but 2nd District Judge John Stegner said he could be released early after completing an alcohol abuse treatment program. He was released on probation in December of that year and was released from probation after completing substance abuse counseling and remaining alcohol and drug free.

In the lawsuit, Dorion contends that guards at the Orofino prison saw bruises and took him to the local hospital, and that he was then transported to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise.

Dorion contends that all three facilities failed to follow basic policies regarding housing assignments, supervision and protection for incarcerated former law enforcement officers, and that he continues to suffer pain, scarring, mental anguish and other injuries.