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Written by: A. Smith
Published January 7, 2026 @ 3:20 PM ET
RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. – A Richmond County deputy jailer has been fired and arrested after investigators say he sexually assaulted a female inmate while she was incarcerated at the county jail, authorities said.
Avery Matthew Wood, 23, of Hephzibah, is charged with rape, sexual assault, and violation of oath of office following a criminal investigation involving an inmate at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said the alleged sexual encounters occurred between October and November while the woman was housed at the detention center on Phinizy Road. Authorities said the alleged conduct ended when the inmate was transferred to a state facility. Because the woman was incarcerated at the time, she was legally unable to consent, investigators said.
Wood was hired by the sheriff’s office in November 2023 and assigned to work as a deputy jailer at the detention center.
According to the sheriff’s office, the Internal Affairs Division received a complaint Friday alleging inappropriate conduct between Wood and a female inmate. After an initial administrative review, the matter was referred to the Criminal Investigation Division when officials determined the allegations could constitute criminal offenses.
Chief of Staff Lewis Blanchard terminated Wood on Monday morning, citing violations of agency policy that warranted immediate dismissal. The criminal investigation continued, and on Tuesday, Wood was formally charged with three felony offenses.
Later that day, Wood was located by members of the Road Patrol Division and the Crime Suppression Team, taken into custody without incident, and transported to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center, where he was booked into jail, authorities said.
Sheriff Gino Brantley said the sheriff’s office maintains a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct involving inmates and holds employees to the highest professional and ethical standards.
“No one is above the law,” Brantley said in a statement. “Any employee who violates the public trust or exploits their position will be held accountable. We will continue to act swiftly and transparently when allegations of this nature arise.”
The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains ongoing. Additional details, including court dates and bond information, were not immediately released.