CAMDEN COUNTY, Ga. – A former Camden County deputy and corrections officer, who was caught on video fighting with an inmate in 2023, has been indicted for violation of oath by a public officer in connection with that fight, according to the Camden County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials said Jacoby Anderson was indicted by a Camden County Grand Jury and accused of violating oath by a public officer. According to the sheriff’s office, the indictment stems from an incident that happened on May 18, 2023, involving the use of force against an inmate, Zyaire Ratliff.
Since 2021, inmates have said they were being abused while inside the Camden County jail.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the investigation revealed that Anderson hit Ratliff several times with a closed fist.
That same day, Anderson was arrested for one count of misdemeanor simple battery and one count of felony Violation of Oath of Office.
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According to the sheriff’s office, Anderson was terminated from his position following an internal investigation that looked into the 2023 incident.
“Our responsibility is to earn and keep the public’s trust. When allegations of misconduct arise, we fully support the judicial process and expect everyone who wears this badge to meet the highest standards of professionalism,” Sheriff Kevin Chaney said.
Anderson’s indictment comes four days after the Department of Justice announced that a now-former Camden County sergeant, Buck Aldridge, was indicted on federal civil rights violations after being accused of using excessive force on arrestees on four separate occasions. The indictment also alleges Aldridge prepared multiple misleading reports to justify his use of force.
Ratliff said once someone goes inside the jail, the staff makes their own rules.
Camden County NAACP President Timothy Bessent said the most recent indictment is just the beginning of justice.
“I think it delayed justice but we are glad that justice is finally coming for the victim,” he said.
By the time Anderson was arrested and fired, multiple other violent incidents had occurred inside the Camden County jail.
An 11-second video from July 3, 2023, captured Camden County Sergeant Corrections Officer Joshua Beauchamp walking an inmate to a glass door that led to an isolation cell. Beauchamp pushed the inmate into the door, and the inmate hit his head and collapsed.
In September 2022, Camden County Corrections Officers Mason Garrick, Braxton Massey and Ryan Biegal were arrested and indicted and accused of beating Jarrett Hobbs.
In 2021, Brian Flancher said he was beaten while in Camden County jail custody. He got two black eyes and bruises on his body.
Adam Drummond was beaten, though he was not combative or aggressive.
These incidents happened under the leadership of Sheriff Jim Proctor, who said changes would be made.
Since then, Camden County voters elected a new sheriff, Kevin Chaney. So far, there have been no cases of excessive force under Chaney’s leadership.
Criminal charges are just one part of this case.
According to the Camden County NAACP, there have been five civil cases settled out of court in the last four years by Camden County, all of which were the result of excessive force, including those cases involving Jarrett Hobbs.
Bessent says there’s more work that needs to be done.
“I believe there is still work that needs to be done overall,” he said. “And I think the elected officials here, like the sheriff and the chief of police being transparent with the community it also brings some credibility and trust.”
