A Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been arrested, accused of using excessive force against an unruly female jail inmate.
According to a press release from the sheriff's office, Aaron Masters was charged with battery and was dismissed from his job.
The incident in question occurred on Aug. 20 when the inmate attacked several deputies. According to the press statement, the inmate punched Masters in the groin, kicked another deputy and bit a third. All three deputies required medical attention because of the injuries they sustained.
Once the inmate was subdued, she was returned to her cell where she "began self-harming behavior."
The deputies returned to cell, and at that time, Masters hit the inmate in the head three times with a closed fist. The incident was caught on video and superiors saw the incident during a routine review that is part of protocol after a use-of-force incident.
Sheriff Butch Conway requested that the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office assist with the investigation, which determined that Aaron Masters should be charged with misdemeanor battery.
"With great power comes great responsibility," Conway said in the press statement. "Our deputies work hard every day to provide a safe community for citizens, inmates and staff alike. There’s no room for a quick temper in this job and this behavior will not be tolerated.”
Masters had been employed by the sheriff’s office for three years in the Jail Division, where he served on the Rapid Response Team. He had no disciplinary history.
Masters turned himself in to the Gwinnett County Jail around 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31. He has been released on bond.
