Saturday, August 3, 2024–2:45 p.m.
-Staff reports-
A Floyd County Sheriff’s Deputy, three former Georgia Department of Corrections officers, and one GDC investigator have been arrested in connection with the assault of an inmate on June 4.
According to the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office:
The incident occurred at the Floyd County Jail. It involved an inmate being transported to a Department of Corrections facility, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was contacted to conduct an investigation.
The GBI has charged 24-year-old former deputy Logan Nelson of Cave Spring with being a party to the crime of aggravated assault, terroristic threats and acts, battery, and violation of oath of office.
31-year-old Hannah Rittweger of Adairsville is charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit terroristic threats and acts, conspiracy to commit battery, false statements and writings, and violation of oath of office.
32-year-old Joshua Riddle of Lafayette is charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats and acts, battery, and violation of oath of office.
63-year-old Billy Lingerfelt of Lafayette is charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats and acts, battery, and violation of oath of office.
56-year-old Donna Pettyjohn of Lafayette is charged with being a party to the crime of aggravated assault, terroristic threats and acts, battery, and violation of oath of office.
According to Floyd County Jail records:
Nelson stood by and closed the door to the dress-out room at the jail, and Ligerfelt stood guard as Riddle assaulted and threatened the inmate. Rittweger provided the name of the inmate and then lied about her involvement, jail records stated. Meanwhile, Pettyjohn is accused of making sure there were no cameras in the area where the inmate was threatened and beaten.
After a review of the incident, Nelson’s employment with the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office was terminated on June 6. He was found to have violated numerous policies, including oath of office, conduct unbecoming of a deputy, and unsatisfactory performance.