A Baltimore City corrections officer is now facing felony-level scrutiny in court, accused of assaulting a juvenile in custody at the city’s juvenile justice center in March 2025. A grand jury indictment handed up Tuesday names Dewaun Gough and charges him with second-degree assault, misconduct in office and false entry into public documents. Prosecutors say those counts together carry a maximum sentence of 13 years. The case is surfacing publicly nearly 11 months after the alleged March 15, 2025 incident.
Prosecutors announce indictment
According to WBALTV, the Baltimore City Office of the State's Attorney announced the indictment today and said the alleged assault happened on March 15, 2025 while the youth was being held at the juvenile center. The outlet reports that the filing lists second-degree assault, misconduct in office and false entry into public documents among the charges. WBAL also notes that Officer Gough faces a maximum possible sentence of 13 years behind bars if he is convicted on all counts. The report points out that an indictment is not a finding of guilt, and that anyone charged is presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial.
Where the alleged attack took place
The Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center is a secure detention facility for youth operated by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, located at 300 N. Gay Street in downtown Baltimore. The department describes the center as handling intake, education and medical care for detained youth while their cases move through the juvenile court system.
State's attorney calls it a breach of trust
State's Attorney Ivan J. Bates characterized the allegations as “a serious breach of trust by an individual who was responsible for the care and safety of a young person in custody,” according to WBALTV. Bates added that juveniles housed at the center are among the most vulnerable members of the community and should be treated with dignity and respect.
Legal next steps
The indictment formally opens a criminal case but does not decide guilt. Under the presumption of innocence, defendants are considered not guilty unless and until the state proves otherwise in court. For more background on that standard, see the Legal Information Institute. From here, court scheduling, hearings and other procedural steps will move through Baltimore’s court system as prosecutors press the case forward.
