Deputy jailers accused of beating inmate appear in court

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two Shelby County deputy jailers accused of assaulting an inmate are scheduled to face a judge today.

Reginald Wilkins, 39, and Odell Underwood, 54, are charged with official repression and official misconduct, both felonies and simple assault.

Sheriff Floyd Bonner said Wilkins had been with the department for 16 years, and Underwood had been with the department for 25 years. Both officers have been relieved of duty without pay and face administrative charges.

In May 2023, inmate Damian Florez-Ramirez was allegedly beaten by Odell Underwood and Reginald Wilkins while he was handcuffed.

Florez-Ramirez filed a lawsuit in September following the beating. This is the second time he has filed a suit for an alleged assault by officers at 201 Poplar.

The first lawsuit was filed in 2021, but it was dismissed.

Sheriff Bonner says Florez-Ramirez allegedly assaulted a deputy jailer and was then subdued and taken for treatment.

An internal and criminal investigation has been ongoing since the incident.

“There was no cameras looking into the room in which the assault occurred. There are cameras outside of the room, that captured some critical, corroborative evidence,” said Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman.

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