A former Pike County sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison after being found guilty of brutally assaulting a handcuffed inmate and using pepper spray on him while he was restrained. The shocking case, captured on jail surveillance footage, has sparked outrage and renewed calls for accountability and reform within law enforcement agencies.
According to court documents, the former deputy, whose name has been released by authorities, was convicted of violating the inmate’s civil rights after a violent encounter inside the county detention facility. Prosecutors say the deputy repeatedly struck the restrained man, used pepper spray at close range, and taunted him while he was unable to defend himself.
The disturbing footage, later used as evidence during the trial, shows the deputy approaching the inmate—who was seated and cuffed to a chair—and unleashing an unprovoked attack. Investigators testified that the inmate posed no threat at the time of the assault. Despite this, the deputy continued to strike and spray the man, leaving him with visible injuries that required medical attention.
In sentencing the former officer, the judge condemned the act as “a severe abuse of power and a betrayal of the badge.” The court emphasized that law enforcement officers are sworn to protect, not harm, those in their custody. “The defendant’s actions were cruel, deliberate, and completely unjustified,” the judge said during the hearing.
The Justice Department praised the verdict, calling it a critical step toward restoring trust in the justice system. “No one is above the law,” a DOJ spokesperson stated. “When those in positions of authority use their power to harm rather than serve, they must be held accountable.”
The victim, who has since been released, testified during the proceedings that he feared for his life during the assault. “I thought I was going to die in that chair,” he said. “I couldn’t move, I couldn’t see, and he just kept going.” The testimony reportedly brought some jurors to tears.
Defense attorneys argued that the deputy had been under “extreme stress” and claimed the incident was a lapse in judgment rather than intentional cruelty. However, the jury rejected those arguments after viewing the video evidence, which prosecutors described as “impossible to watch without feeling anger and disgust.”
This case is one of several recent prosecutions targeting correctional officers accused of excessive force against inmates. Civil rights advocates say it underscores the urgent need for independent oversight in jails and prisons nationwide. “Accountability shouldn’t depend on whether a camera is running,” one advocate noted. “Every inmate deserves dignity and safety, no matter their crime.”
As the former deputy begins his sentence, the Pike County Sheriff’s Office has publicly apologized for the incident and announced new training protocols to prevent similar abuses in the future.
For the community, the conviction serves as both a warning and a message: authority carries responsibility — and when that responsibility is betrayed, justice must follow.
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