I-TEAM UPDATE: Warrants detail jail confrontation between deputies, inmates

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Our I-TEAM has uncovered new information about an incident at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center that resulted in multiple arrests of deputies.

It happened almost two years ago, but warrants show the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office only started looking into it after someone filed a civil rights complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

So far, we’ve confirmed five now-former deputies are facing charges. A sixth is facing similar charges, and it’s her body camera video that was leaked to the I-TEAM last week.

Body camera footage obtained by News 12 shows the response:

Now, we have the warrants.

The new warrants begin with new information that someone filed a complaint about a civil rights violation at the jail.

It doesn’t say what that complaint is, but it references an incident on May 5, 2022, which we now know was May 7, 2022.

The warrants describe deputies responding to inmates flooding the jail.

The only body cam specifically referenced is Johnny Atkinson’s. The footage a source gave the I-TEAM came from Melissa Morello’s camera.

READ THE WARRANTS:

Warrants say the shift supervisor, Lt. John “Chip” Whitaker, is heard saying “he wanted someone to go to the hospital,” indicating he wanted some inmates hurt.

Deputies ran upstairs, where “inmates were lying face down.”

Then the warrants say Deputy Austin Birch jumps on an inmate and “punches him at least one time in the face area and slams him into the concrete floor.”

Warrants describe inmates “being moved downstairs and placed in the water while handcuffed.”

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• Augusta DA responds to Richmond County jail incident emails
• Video sheds light on jail incident that spurred arrests of officers
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It says nothing about how they were instructed to lie there.

They then describe the moment when deputies seem to encourage Deputy Atkinson to fight.

Before the inmate even stands up, you can see Atkinson tackle him and put him in a chokehold.

The I-TEAM pointed out deputies seemed to encourage him.

But the warrants identify Whitaker as the one suggesting he take him out and choke him out.

The warrants end that this happened “for no reason.”

The warrants make no reference to the deputy seeming to kick or stomp an inmate. So far, he has not been arrested.

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Text of the warrants

Personally came Inv. Ken Rogers, who on oath says that to the best of his personal knowledge and belief, Austin Keith Birch, did on May 5th, 2022, in Richmond County, Georgia, commit the offense of: Battery - in violation of O.C.G.A. 16-5-23.1, a Misdemeanor under the laws of the State of Georgia, in that said accused on the above stated date and time, Austin Keith Birch did commit the offense of Battery by going to (inmate) and assaulting him by punching him in the face and slamming him to the concrete floor without provocation. Said offense occurred at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center at 1941 Phinizy Road in Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia.

Probable Cause:

On 020824 Inv. Ken Rogers was advised to meet with command staff at the CID Office. During that time Inv. Rogers was advised that a complaint had been filed with the FBI of Civil Rights violations at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center. Inv. Rogers then watched body camera footage of deputies responding to a disturbance at the jail where inmates had flooded the entire bottom floor of G-Pod C-Block. During the incident Deputy Johnny Atkinson had his body camera on. While walking down to G-POD Lt. John “Chip” Whitaker (shift supervisor) is heard saying he wanted someone to go to the hospital indicates he wanted someone (inmates) hurt. The video then shows the deputies arriving on the POD. During the incident Deputy Austin Birch is seen on camera going onto the block and going upstairs where inmates were lying face down. At that time on video it is clear that Deputy Birch goes directly to (inmate) who is face down with his hands behind his back. Deputy Birch immediately jumps on (inmate) and punches him at least one time in the face area and slams him into the concrete floor. The inmate was not being combative or giving any type of resistance and the assault was not provoked in any way. This violates the oath taken as an officer to treat all inmates in custody properly.

The video continues to show the inmates being moved downstairs and placed in the water while handcuffed. After the inmates were placed on the downstairs floor, (inmate) was lying on the floor in handcuffs. At that time the inmate told the deputies around him who were identified as Deputy Daniel D’Aversa, Deputy Dantavion Jones, and Deputy Melissa Morello that he wanted to be unhandcuffed to fight. At that time these deputies yelled across the floor to Deputy Atkinson and advised him that (inmate) wished to fight. These deputies were basically advising Deputy Atkinson to come fight (inmate). At that time Deputy Atkinson began taking off his equipment and then came back to the block. At that time Deputy Hones was unhandcuffing (inmate). After the handcuffs were removed (inmate) then attempted to stand at which time Deputy Atkinson punched (inmate) then grabs (inmate) and put him in a choke hold with Deputy Atkinson’s arm being around (inmate) neck and it is obvious that Deputy Atkinson is attempting to strangle or choke the inmate out. Deputy Jones and Deputy Morello assisted in allowing Deputy Atkinson to assault (inmate). Lt. Whitaker is then heard saying “Take him out” and “choke that motherf***** out” which is meant for Deputy Atkinson to hurt the inmate. While Deputy Atkinson is holding the inmate around his neck Deputy Atkinson begins to punch the inmate in the side of his chest area again for no reason the inmate was not fighting at that time.

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