The following was taken from a press release distributed by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office on February 12, 2024:
Update: On Monday, February 12, 2024, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division has charged Corporal Daniel D’Aversa and Deputy Dantavion Jones with one count of Battery (Misdemeanor) and Violation of Oath of a Public Officer (Felony) in connection with the above-described incident. They were booked into the CBWDC.
Retired jail Lieutenant John Whitaker was also charged in this incident with one count of Aggravated Assault (Felony), one count of Battery (Misdemeanor) and Violation of Oath of a Public Officer. He was also booked into the CBWDC.
D’Aversa began his employment with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office on July 29, 2006, Jones began his employment on June 21, 2018. D’Aversa was most recently assigned to the CBWDC.
Jones was assigned to the Road Patrol Division. At the time of the incident, D’Aversa and Jones were both assigned to the Road Patrol Division.
Their employment with RCSO was terminated today. This incident will follow the same course as any other criminal investigation, and no other information will be provided at this time.
RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. – On Thursday, February 8, 2024, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs Division was made aware of an incident that occurred at the CBWDC between Deputies and Inmates on May 7, 2022, where Deputies responded to a call for assistance regarding unruly inmates.
After the review of body camera and surveillance videos, it was determined that the amount of force used in response to the call was unnecessary.
On Friday, February 9, 2024, Johnny Atkinson was charged with One Count of Aggravated Assault (Felony), One Count of Battery (Misdemeanor)and Violation of Oath of a Public Officer (Felony) and Austin Birch was charged with One Count of Battery (Misdemeanor) and Violation of Oath of a Public Officer (Felony) and they were booked into the CBWDC and later terminated.
Atkinson began his employment with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office on June 20, 2018, and Birch began his employment on July 13, 2019. They were most recently assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division. At the time of the incident, they were assigned to the Road Patrol Division.
This incident will follow the same course as any other criminal investigation, and no other information will be provided at this time.