Ga. Corrections Officers, Former FCSO Deputy Face Assault Charges

Four Georgia Department of Corrections officers and a now former Floyd County Jail deputy were arrested on aggravated assault and other charges Friday stemming from an attack on an inmate being transferred to prison.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Floyd County Sheriff’s Office reports:

On June 4, Department of Corrections officer Joshua Lee Riddle attacked an inmate at the Floyd County Jail while he was in the process of being transported to state prison. According to warrants, Riddle threatened to kill the inmate and seriously beat him.

GDOC investigator Hannah Danielle Rittweger is accused of providing the name of the inmate, who had been sentenced to prison on child molestation charges, to Riddle prior to the attack. GDOC officer Donna Michelle Pettyjohn checked to see if there were cameras in the dress out area of the jail before Riddle attacked the inmate.

GDOC officer Billy Joe Lingerfelt and former FCSO Deputy Logan Eugene Nelson are accused of acting as lookouts and attempting to hide the fact that the attack was taking place.

They are all also accused of attempting to cover up the attack.

“After our review of the incident, Mr. Nelson’s employment was terminated on June 6, 2024. He was found to have violated numerous policies, including oath of office, conduct unbecoming of a deputy and unsatisfactory performance,” Lt. Anthony Cromer said in a statement.

The sheriff’s office requested that the GBI investigate the incident and on Friday the agency filed charges against the five officers involved.

The following people were arrested:

Riddle, 32, of LaFayette, is charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats and acts, battery and violation of oath of office.

Pettyjohn, 56, of LaFayette, is charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit terroristic threats and acts, conspiracy to commit battery, false statements and violation of oath of office.

Rittweger, 32, of Adairsville, is charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit terroristic threats and acts, conspiracy to commit battery, false statements and violation of oath of office.

Nelson, 24, of Cave Spring, is charged with party to the crime of aggravated assault, terroristic threats and acts, battery and violation of oath of office.

Lingerfelt, 63, of LaFayette, is charged with party to the crime of aggravated assault, terroristic threats and acts, battery and violation of oath of office.

They all remained in Floyd County Jail on Friday evening without bond.