Three Officers Who Allegedly Beat Jarrett Hobbs Are Arrested And Fired
Three officers have been arrested and fired after a video showed them brutally assaulting Jarrett Hobbs, a 41-year-old who was in a Georgia Detention Center.
According to CNN, a news release from the Camden County Sheriff’s Office stated, “Charged with Battery of an Inmate, and Violating the Oath of Office, are Mason Garrick, Braxton Massey, and Ryan Biegel.” All three have been released on a $10,000 bond and have not issued any statements.
Mr. Hobbs’ lawyer, Harry Daniels, reacted in a statement: “This is just the first step toward justice. Convictions and imprisonment are the final acts.” The New York Times confirmed all three had been terminated.
On Sept. 3, 2022, Jarrett Hobbs, per the AP News, was arrested in Camden County, Georgia, about 100 miles South of Savannah. The North Carolina man was initially charged with speeding, driving on a suspended or revoked license, and possessing an illegal drug. He was later charged with aggravated battery, simple assault, and obstruction of law enforcement officers after the attack.
In the viral video, Hobbs is initially seen alone in the cell bending over to pick up two items, which his attorney says were a piece of paper and a sandwich. An officer then comes into the cell, attempting to push him into a corner—four others follow. They are seen brutally assaulting Hobbs for approximately one minute. It’s unknown why the officers attacked Hobbs, however, the AP notes that court documents from North Carolina, where Hobbs was on probation for a 2014 fraud charge, say that he was allegedly kicking his cell door and ignored orders to stop. One deputy sustained a bruised eye and a broken hand due to the incident. However, Hobbs’s lawyer said that his client would have been within his rights to fight back if he was being attacked unlawfully and that the officer who broke his hand did so when he punched a wall while swinging at Hobbs.
While the court has dismissed the violations related to the Georgia incident, Hobbs’ probation for a 2014 fraud charge has since been revoked. He remains in federal custody in North Carolina.
