VALDOSTA, Ga. – – A Georgia jailer pleaded guilty to violating a prisoner’s civil rights by beating him while handcuffed and lying on the ground.
Prosecutors said 33-year-old Jamal Scott and other guards took the man to an outside area to attack him on December 29, 2018, in retaliation for an earlier argument with a female guard at Valdosta State Prison in South Georgia.
“When Scott attacked this inmate, he was violating the inmate’s civil rights and betraying his oath of office as a correctional officer,” said Pam S. Karlan, assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice’s civil rights division. “The Justice Department will continue to protect the civil rights of all persons and ensure that officials who abuse their power are held accountable.”
In a press release, the US Department of Justice said Scott faces a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $ 250,000. However, a hearing on the conviction is not yet planned.
“In our community and beyond, the harmful effects are felt when a sworn officer violates the civil rights of a responsible person,” said acting US attorney Peter D. Leary.
Scott and correctional officer Brian Ford followed instructions from their manager, Sgt. Patrick Sharpe, prosecutors said.
Ford pleaded guilty in November. Scott and Sharpe were charged in December.
Sharpe has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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