Related Federal Cases
- William Gallagher, Felony Civil Disorder, Georgia 2021 · District of Columbia
- Bruno Joseph Cua, Capitol Assault, Georgia 2021 · Washington
- King County Correctional Facility Found Guilty of Rights Violations… · Florida
- James Hinton, Conspiracy to Assault Inmates, Georgia 2023 · North Carolina
- Kerivonte Davis, Armed Bank Robbery, Georgia 2010 · Georgia
Wilcox County Sheriff, Son, and Jailer Face Civil Rights Charges
The dark underbelly of law enforcement has been laid bare in Wilcox County, Georgia, where former Sheriff Stacy Bloodsworth, his son Austin Bloodsworth, and former Jailer Casey Owens have been charged with civil rights violations.
According to a superseding indictment unsealed on March 5, 2012, the defendants were accused of assaulting three inmates at the Wilcox County Jail on July 23, 2009. The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to cover up the assaults, which resulted in one inmate suffering a broken jaw and two others sustaining bruises and scratches.
Stacy Bloodsworth and Austin Bloodsworth were also charged with lying to the FBI, while Owens was accused of writing a false report about the incident. Owens was also charged with tampering with one of the victims and two witnesses.
Additionally, Stacy Bloodsworth was charged with violating the civil rights of two other individuals. He is accused of assaulting inmate M.A. in July 2009, causing a laceration and pain, and assaulting inmate N.S. in November 2009, causing a concussion, bruising, and pain.
The civil rights charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years for each count, while the conspiracy and false statements charges carry a maximum penalty of up to five years. Stacy Bloodsworth faces a maximum penalty of 20 years for each count of witness tampering, and Owens faces a maximum penalty of 20 years for his false report.
This is not the first time that law enforcement officials in Wilcox County have faced charges related to civil rights violations. In 2012, former-Sheriff Bloodsworth was charged with civil rights violations in connection with the July 23, 2009 assault of three inmates. Former-Sheriff Bloodsworth’s son, Austin Bloodsworth, was also charged, as well as former Jailer Casey Owens and former Wilcox County Jail trustee Willie James Caruthers.
On April 4, 2012, Caruthers pleaded guilty to acting with several others, including law enforcement officials, to assault an inmate in the Wilcox County Jail on July 23, 2009. He also pleaded guilty to conspiring to tamper with a witness in connection with the assault.
Stacy Bloodsworth, Austin Bloodsworth, and Owens are currently facing charges related to civil rights violations and obstruction of justice. Their current status is unclear.
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Violent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent Crime