Atlanta deputy sheriff charged with excessive force for allegedly beating jail inmates
A former Fulton County Sheriff’s Detention Officer was arrested last week for allegedly beating two inmates. One of those inmates died as a result. The former officer, Curtis Jerome Brown Jr. of Lithonia, has been charged with violating civil rights, making false statements to federal agents, and obstructing a federal investigation. The arrest stems from an FBI investigation concerning the use of excessive force at the Fulton County Jail.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution has the story.
The complaint against the officer describes two incidents in which the officer used excessive force. The first incident occurred in August 2007 in which Brown allegedly beat an inmate while handcuffed. The inmate was later found bleeding and in need of medical care. The second incident happened in March 2008. Brown is accused of beating a mentally ill inmate in his cell. When the inmate was later found, he was not breathing and was unconscious. The inmate was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The complaint also alleges that Brown concealed his role in the beatings during a federal grand jury in August 2008. The U.S. Attorney prosecuting the case has said that investigations of other incidents are being frustrated by jailers who refuse to tell the truth.">Atlanta Journal Constitution has the story.
The complaint against the officer describes two incidents in which the officer used excessive force. The first incident occurred in August 2007 in which Brown allegedly beat an inmate while handcuffed. The inmate was later found bleeding and in need of medical care.
The second incident happened in March 2008. Brown is accused of beating a mentally ill inmate in his cell. When the inmate was later found, he was not breathing and was unconscious. The inmate was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The complaint also alleges that Brown concealed his role in the beatings during a federal grand jury in August 2008.
The U.S. Attorney prosecuting the case has said that investigations of other incidents are being frustrated by jailers who refuse to tell the truth.
Excessive force in custody can also lead to a successful federal civil rights lawsuit. Perhaps that's what will happen here after the criminal case is resolved.
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