Former Richmond County Sheriff’s Office deputy Dantavion Jones has entered a guilty plea to a federal civil rights charge following an assault on a jail detainee. Jones, 33, admitted to violating the civil rights of an individual while acting under the color of law, facing up to 10 years in federal prison, which may be compounded by fines and mandated restitution, and potentially followed by three years of supervised release as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia.
The incident, which took place at the Charles D. Webster Detention Center on May 7, 2022, involved Jones and other personnel in an attempt to securely manage inmates accused of causing flooding. Victim 1, who was reportedly handcuffed and not posing any threat, was assaulted while Jones "failed to intervene to stop or attempt to stop the assault," according to the plea agreement. This lapse has led to significant repercussions for Jones, who must to now await sentencing.
The conviction is a culmination of efforts by the FBI and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, spearheaded by Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke. This case not only implicates Jones but also two former colleagues, Daniel D'Aversa and Melissa Morello, who have pleaded guilty to related civil rights violations and are awaiting sentencing as well.
United States District Court Judge J. Randal Hall is set to schedule Jones’ sentencing following the completion of a pre-sentence investigation. The gravity of these convictions underscores the continuing issue surrounding law enforcement and the exercise of excessive force. As stated by the Justice Department, the case against Jones was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney George J.C. Jacobs III and Anita T. Channapati of the Civil Rights Division.
