The Justice Department stated that a former correctional officer with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office (RPSO), Detention Center 1, in Alexandria, Louisiana, was sentenced Friday in federal court for assaulting an inmate detained at the facility.
Dominic Davidson, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Dee Drell to 11 months in federal prison.
Davidson pleaded guilty on June 11, 2020, to one misdemeanor count of violating the civil rights of an inmate in his custody.
“Correctional officers have a sworn duty to ensure that inmates are protected, rather than abused,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook for the Western District of Louisiana. “The abuse of authority by this law enforcement officer and the violation of the inmate’s civil rights will not be tolerated. We will continue to pursue cases where this type of abuse and indiscretion occurs”
According to plea documents and information presented in court, on June 14, 2018, while on duty as a correctional officer,
Davidson entered the locked holding cell of pretrial detainee K.F. and began punching K.F. repeatedly in the face and body.
Prior to Davidson entering the cell, K.F., who was completely naked and locked securely inside his cell, had been banging on the door in an attempt to get officers’ attention.
In response to the banging, Davidson put on a pair of rubber gloves, unlocked and entered K.F.’s cell, pushed K.F. to the ground, and struck K.F. numerous times in the head and body.
At no point before, during, or after the assault did K.F. pose a threat to himself or others.