Former Richmond County deputy gets 15 years for misconduct at jail

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A former Richmond County deputy was sentenced last week for misconduct at the jail, according to authorities.

District Attorney Jared Williams says Joseph Clarke was sentenced to 15 years for sex crimes committed against a public defender’s office investigator.

Clarke pled guilty to violation of oath by a public officer, criminal attempt to commit aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment and sexual battery, according to Williams.

Williams said Clarke’s sentence includes credit for time served and will be followed by 15 years of probation upon release.

“No one is above the law, and no one is beneath the law’s protection. This case involved a sworn law enforcement officer who attempted a sexual assault on a woman at the jail. The defendant pleaded guilty because he is guilty, and we respect the judge’s sentence. If you do not want to go to prison for sex crimes, don’t commit sex crimes,” said Williams.

In 2023, The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division arrested jailer Clarke after learning in mid-June of possible misconduct at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center involving a female Public Defender’s Office employee, according to deputies.

The allegation involved sexual misconduct in an interview room.

Investigators determined that probable cause existed to charge Clarke with criminal attempt aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment, sexual battery and violation of oath by a public officer, according to a news release from deputies.

On June 15, 2023, Clarke was arrested and booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.

Bond was denied on July 14, 2023, because of the risk of intimidating a witness and of reoffending.

Clarke began his employment with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 31, 2020. He was assigned to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center and was fired after the allegation surfaced.

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