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Former Sheriff Smashes Inmate’s Jaw
Stacy Bloodsworth, the former sheriff of Wilcox County, Ga., pleaded guilty to assaulting an inmate inside the Wilcox County jail and subsequently conspiring to cover up the assault.
According to court documents, on July 23, 2009, while he was acting as sheriff, Bloodsworth was inside the jail with several other individuals, including his son, Austin Bloodsworth; a Wilcox County inmate-trustee, Willie James Caruthers; a South Central Georgia Drug Task Force agent, Timothy King, Jr.; and a Wilcox County Jailer, Casey Owens.
Bloodsworth ordered three inmates out of their cells because he was angry about reports that one of the inmates had a cell phone, which is in violation of jail regulations. He hit all three inmates, and also watched as other people, including the sheriff’s son, struck and kicked one of the inmates in the face. After it appeared that that inmate’s jaw was broken, the sheriff used a wrench in an attempt to put his broken jaw back into place.
The inmate was brought to a local hospital, where his jaw had to be wired shut. The other two inmates assaulted on the same day suffered lacerations, bruising, and pain.
Bloodsworth and his co-conspirators concocted a false cover story about the assaults in order to cover up the involvement of the law enforcement officials. The sheriff instructed Caruthers, Austin Bloodsworth, King, and Owens that, if they were ever questioned about the incident, they should say that inmate Caruthers and the victim got into a physical altercation after the inmate used a racial slur against Caruthers.
Austin Bloodsworth, the sheriff’s son, also pleaded guilty to conspiring to cover up the assault. During his plea hearing, Austin Bloodsworth admitted that he kicked the inmate in the face multiple times and relayed the sheriff’s false cover story to special agents of the FBI.
“The government will continue to vigorously prosecute officers who cross the line and engage in criminal misconduct,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.
Stacy Bloodsworth faces a maximum of ten years on the civil rights charge, and a maximum of five years on the conspiracy charge. Austin Bloodsworth faces a maximum of five years on the conspiracy charge.
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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