A former correctional officer at the Clayton County Jail, Justin Bethea, has pleaded guilty to violating the civil rights of a pretrial detainee by using excessive force. The incident occurred on May 16, 2024, while Bethea was transferring two detainees between housing units in Jonesboro, Georgia.
According to information presented in court, one detainee asked Bethea where he was being taken. In response, Bethea handcuffed the detainee and told him to be quiet. An argument followed as they moved to another unit. After removing the handcuffs, Bethea challenged the detainee "to buck." When the detainee cursed and insulted him, Bethea slammed his head into a wall and threw him onto the floor. Despite obeying orders and remaining on the floor, video evidence showed that Bethea tased the detainee at least six times. The detainee suffered bodily injury as a result.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated: “Corrections officers work long hours in challenging circumstances to maintain order in our district’s jails and prisons, but wanton abuse cannot be tolerated. This former officer must be held accountable for using excessive force against a detainee who was complying with his orders and was not acting violently.”
Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, said: “Correctional officers are entrusted with authority, and with that authority comes the responsibility to treat every detainee with basic dignity and respect. This officer chose to abuse that trust and violate the civil rights of someone in his custody. The FBI will continue to investigate and hold accountable anyone who uses unlawful force inside our jails and prisons.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bret R. Hobson and Brent Alan Gray are prosecuting the case.
Bethea's sentencing is set for March 10, 2026 at 11:00 before U.S. District Judge Tiffany R. Johnson. The court will consider United States Sentencing Guidelines when determining his sentence.
For more information about this case or related matters from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
