SUFFOLK, Va. — Two corrections officers were fired and now face felony charges following an alleged use-of-force case.
The incident happened on June 16 at Western Tidewater Regional Jail when an inmate threw water at a corrections officer from his jail cell, WTKR reports.
When officers responded to the inmate, the inmate was described as “noncompliant.” The officers used OC spray and then worked to escort the inmate out of the cell, according to court documents.
Court documents stated that surveillance video showed the inmate being pulled in opposite directions, causing him to hit a column. The officers then allegedly pushed the inmate head-first into the door without slowing down.
Both officers stated they “were moving excessively fast with the inmate, but neither made any effort to slow down as they approached a doorway that both also admit that they did not believe was unsecured,” court documents state.
Statements by both officers indicated the inmate was limp and unresponsive after hitting the door, according to court documents. The officers also noted that they continued moving the inmate throughout the facility before rendering medical aid.
Jail medical staff evaluated the inmate and determined he needed to go to the hospital. Once at the hospital, it was determined that the inmate had a broken neck and hand and was likely paralyzed, according to court documents.
Following an internal investigation, two officers were fired in connection with the case.
The Suffolk Police Department conducted an independent investigation and obtained felony warrants for both former officers, 13 News Now reports.
The officers accused in the incident were identified as Josh Goins, 29, and Corey Lott, 25. Both were arrested and charged with aggravated malicious wounding.
