By Carol Robinson
al.com
BLOUND COUNTY, Ala. — A former Blount County Jail sergeant has been sentenced to prison for the 2022 beating an inmate that was captured on the lockup’s surveillance video.
Joseph Ray Snow, 45, was sentenced to 10 years in state prison following his August convictions for second-degree assault and failure of duty or violation of the law, said District Attorney Pamela Casey.
At sentencing, Casey presented evidence that Snow had assaulted a female inmate prior to 2022 incident, though that event was not discovered until earlier this year. That assault was also captured on video.
“The badge represents integrity, duty, and service. Ninety-nine percent of officers live up to that every day,” Casey said. “This case is the exception, not the rule.”
“When someone entrusted with authority abuses it, accountability is not optional — it’s essential to protect both the public and the reputation of the many honorable men and women who serve in law enforcement,” she said.
The assault happened Dec. 3, 2022, when Jonathan Carl Calloway was being booked on a public intoxication charge, was investigated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Sheriff Mark Moon at the time said it appeared Snow “snapped.”
When Snow instructed Calloway to stand with his back against the wall for a booking photo, Calloway complied with Snow’s instructions.
However, while posing for the photograph, Calloway made a crude hand gesture to the camera.
That was when Snow walked around the booking station counter, grabbed Calloway and bounced Calloway’s head against the wall.
After throwing the chair following the struggle, Snow walked back over to Calloway who was on the floor with one officer restraining Calloway’s legs and another officer restraining Calloway’s upper body.
Snow kicked Calloway in the face with his right foot, Case said.
Calloway instantly spit out a mouth full of blood and pieces of his teeth. Blood then began pooling under Calloway’s head.
Calloway was bandaged by medical staff at the jail and transported to UAB St. Vincent’s Blount for examination and treatment.
In addition to losing teeth, Calloway sustained a broken nose and lacerations to his head and face as a result of the assault.
The investigation was led by the State Bureau of Investigation.
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