Dwight Hamilton, a 54-year-old former sergeant at the DeKalb County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia, has been sentenced to one year in federal prison for brutally tasing a female inmate without justification — an act that left her permanently scarred and defiled. The attack, which occurred on November 1, 2011, was not in response to violence or resistance, but because the inmate had asked to speak to a supervisor after her family visitation was canceled.
Hamilton admitted during his guilty plea on November 20, 2017, that he used the Taser not as a tool of control, but as punishment. Instead of addressing the inmate’s concerns, he deployed the device repeatedly until she defecated on herself. Trained in proper Taser protocols, Hamilton acknowledged he knew the use of force was unlawful — yet did it anyway. The assault caused permanent scarring on the victim’s breast, a lasting physical and psychological wound.
U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak did not mince words: “Abuse of power by any law enforcement officer is always unacceptable.” He emphasized that even incarcerated individuals are entitled to fair treatment and decency under the Constitution. “Hamilton’s conduct is not reflective of how we expect officers to conduct themselves,” Pak said, drawing a sharp line between legitimate law enforcement and unchecked brutality.
The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice echoed that stance. Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore called the attack a “gross violation” of the inmate’s civil rights. “Any unlawful act of violence or malice by an officer against an inmate will not be tolerated by this Department of Justice,” Gore declared, signaling federal resolve to pursue accountability even within the walls of correctional facilities.
Hamilton wasn’t the only one to face consequences. His former supervisor, Leonard Dreyer, was sentenced on February 6, 2018, to 21 days in a halfway house for attempting to obstruct the FBI’s investigation by making false statements. While Dreyer avoided prison, his punishment underscores the federal crackdown on cover-ups that protect abusive officers. The FBI’s Atlanta Field Office, led by Special Agent in Charge David J. LeValley, stressed that while most correctional staff serve honorably, those who betray their oath will be held accountable.
Hamilton will serve three years of federal supervision following his release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Alan Gray and Trial Attorney Christopher Perras of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. For more information, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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