Former Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Tasing Inmate, Resulting in Fall that Required Brain Surgery

                                                       MISSISSIPPI

A federal judge sentenced a former Tate County, Mississippi Sheriff’s deputy to two years in prison for unlawful tasing of a jail inmate who standing against the wall and not posing a threat to anyone, officials announced today.

Former Lt. Randy T. Doss tased the victim, who has been identified as “J.W.,” a pre-trial detainee,  from 11 feet. The victim fell backward and hit and fractured his skull head on the concrete floor, requiring him to undergo brain surgery, officials said.

The tasing occurred on Jan. 27, 2012 after a jail-wide search was ordered after an inmate was reportedly assaulted with a razor, officials said.

“The defendant abused his authority, violated the law and the public trust,” said U.S. Attorney Felicia C. Adams of the Northern District of Mississippi.  “While the majority of law enforcement officers are hardworking professionals who risk their lives daily for our safety, the U. S. Attorney’s Office is committed to aggressively prosecuting those officers who break the law and violate an individual’s constitutional rights.”

“In making arrests, maintaining order and defending life, the law allows law enforcement officers to use whatever force is ‘reasonably’ necessary,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald Alway of the FBI’s Jackson Division.  “Violations of federal law occur when it can be shown, as in this case, that the force used was willfully ‘unreasonable’ or ‘excessive.’”