OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI— A former Tate County sheriff’s deputy was indicted for assaulting a jail inmate while he was in custody, using a Taser against him, resulting in bodily injury, authorities announced Tuesday.
Randy T. Doss, age 62, is charged with unlawfully assaulting a detainee at the Tate County Jail, according to federal officials.
“In order to effectively serve and protect their communities, law enforcement officers are entrusted with certain powers and authority, which they are expected to wield with the utmost integrity,” said Donald Alway, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Mississippi. “This officer is charged with abuse of that power and authority. I appreciate the cooperation and professional handling of this matter by the investigators, the prosecutors and, especially, Tate County Sheriff Brad Lance, who brought these allegations to our attention.”
On January 27, 2012, the indictment states that while acting under color of law, Doss violated the inmate’s, identified only as J.W., right not to be deprived of liberty without due process of law.
According to the indictment, Doss assaulted the inmate, who was in custody, by using a Taser against him, resulting in bodily injury.
Doss made his initial appearance and arraignment in federal court Tuesday. If convicted, he is facing up to 10 years in prison.,
Doss is presumed innocent until he is found guilty