ABBEVILLE, GA – In a shocking turn of events, former Wilcox County Jailer Casey Owens, 23, of Rhine, Ga., pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony in connection with the assault of three inmates at the Wilcox County Jail in Abbeville, Ga.
According to court documents, Owens was present when several people, including then-Wilcox County Sheriff Stacy Bloodsworth and his son, Austin Bloodsworth, assaulted the inmates on July 23, 2009. The assaults resulted in two inmates suffering scratches, bruises and pain, while the third inmate suffered a broken jaw.
During the plea hearing, Owens admitted that he and others were present when Stacy Bloodsworth concocted a false cover story to cover up the fact that law enforcement officials and others had used excessive force against the inmates. Owens also acknowledged that he concealed his knowledge of the assaults by writing a false statement to be included in the Wilcox County Sheriff’s Office report about the incident.
“The vast majority of American law enforcement officers conduct themselves with honor. But when an officer violates his or her oath and breaks the law, the Department of Justice stands ready to enforce the law and protect the civil rights of all Americans,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.
When Owens is sentenced, he faces a maximum penalty of up to three years in prison. Owens is the fourth person to be charged in connection with the assault of the three inmates, following the indictment of Stacy Bloodsworth, Austin Bloodsworth, and former Wilcox County Jail Trustee Willie James Caruthers in February 2012.
On April 4, 2012, Caruthers pleaded guilty to acting with several others, including law enforcement officials, to assault an inmate inside of the Wilcox County Jail on July 23, 2009. Caruthers also pleaded guilty to conspiring to cover up the assault.
Stacy Bloodsworth, the former Wilcox County Sheriff, is currently facing charges of civil rights violations, conspiracy, lying to the FBI, and tampering with witnesses. He is also charged with violating the civil rights of two other inmates on separate occasions.
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RELATED: Wilcox County Jailer Pleads Guilty to Covering Up Inmate Assaults
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Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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