By Jeff Waters
Suwannee Democrat
LIVE OAK, Fla. — Two Suwannee Correctional Institution (SCI) correctional officers were arrested Tuesday for battery and falsifying official records following an investigation which revealed pepper spray was used on two inmates while they were restrained in June, the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) reports.
The investigation was conducted by the Florida Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General, who initiated a criminal investigation following the review of a use of force reported by Officers Joann Lopez, 29, Live Oak, and Kiree Twiggs, 21, Live Oak. During the course of the investigation it was revealed that two inmates were called to the foyer of the L-Dormitory at SCI to answer to allegations that one of them struck another. Both inmates refused the allegations. At that point, Officer Twiggs reportedly instructed both inmates to turn around and submit to hand restraints, which they did without resistance, FDOC states. Officer Twiggs then instructed Officer Lopez to administer pepper spray to both inmates, which she complied.
Subsequent to this action, Offices Twiggs slammed both inmates on the ground without justification, according to FDOC.
Both officers later submitted falsified official documents in an attempt to justify their improper use of force, FDOC reports.
Lopez and Twiggs each face one count of battery and one count of falsifying state records, according to jail records.