GAINESVILLE - A former Hall County jailer, fired almost two years ago for alleged excessive force against an inmate, has entered guilty pleas to the charges he faces.<br />
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Dustin Charlton was charged in December 2012, about three months after he was fired.<br />
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On Wednesday, according to paperwork on file in the Hall County Clerk of Courts office, Charlton pleaded guilty to violation of oath of office and two counts of simple battery. <br />
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"He was sentenced under the first offender act to five years on probation, with the following conditions: that he complete anger management counseling and that he not seek employment or volunteer for any law enforcement agency, jail or community policing organization," said District Attorney Lee Darragh.<br />
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Hall County authorities said Charlton was terminated as a result of a September 8, 2012, incident at the Hall County Jail. A press release at the time indicated Charlton was involved that night in subduing a combative inmate. After the inmate was brought under control and handcuffed, Charlton allegedly hit the inmate in the head with his hand.<br />
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Charlton was also the subject of a 2010 investigation into a similar incident in which he struck an inmate. He was suspended for five days without pay for those actions.<br />
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Charlton had been employed with the sheriff's office since May, 2010.
