Augusta, GA

3 more Richmond County lawmen arrested over use of force at jail

Published

7 months ago

February 13, 2024

3 more Richmond County lawmen arrested over use of force at jail

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Three more lawmen were arrested Monday, joining two Richmond County Sheriff’s Office investigators arrested Friday after an incident that happened nearly two years ago.

On Thursday, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs Division was made aware of an incident that occurred May 7, 2022, at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center between deputies and inmates where deputies responded to a call for assistance regarding unruly inmates.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says after review of body camera and surveillance videos, it was determined that the amount of force used in response to the call was unnecessary.

On Friday, officials said Johnny Atkinson, 45, was charged with one count of aggravated assault, one count of battery and violation of oath of a public officer. Austin Birch, 27, was charged with one count of battery and violation of oath of a public officer.

Both were booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center, according to the sheriff’s agency. They were later terminated.

On Monday, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division charged Cpl. Daniel D’Aversa and Deputy Dantavion Jones with one count of battery (misdemeanor) and violation of oath of a public officer (felony) in connection with the incident.

They were booked into jail.

Retired jail Lt. John Whitaker was also charged with one count of aggravated assault (felony), one count of battery (misdemeanor) and violation of oath of a public officer. He was also booked into jail.

D’Aversa began his employment with the agency on July 29, 2006, and Jones began his employment on June 21, 2018. D’Aversa was most recently assigned to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.

Jones was assigned to the Road Patrol Division. At the time of the incident, D’Aversa and Jones were both assigned to the Road Patrol Division.

Their employment with the agency was terminated Monday.

Officials say Atkinson began his employment with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office on June 20, 2018. Birch began his employment with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office on July 13, 2019.

Both were recently assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division, but at the time of the incident, they were assigned to the Road Patrol Division, the sheriff’s office says.

From left: Austin Birch, 27, and Johnny Atkinson, 45(wrdw)

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Augusta, GA

THE SCORE: Behind the Scenes with the Silver Bluff band

Published

9 hours ago

August 31, 2024

Press Room

THE SCORE: Behind the Scenes with the Silver Bluff band | Home | wfxg.com

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Fire Department welcomes 13 new firefighters

Published

20 hours ago

August 30, 2024

Press Room

Augusta Fire Department welcomes 13 new firefighters

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A class of fire recruits graduated from the Augusta Fire Department on Friday.

The department welcomed 13 new firefighters to the agency.

The department says this year’s theme, “Courage Under Fire: Rising Above,” was truly embodied by each recruit.

Augusta, Georgia Fire/EMA Department Chief Burden delivered an inspiring keynote address.

“We want to extend our deepest thanks to Augusta Technical College for their invaluable partnership and to the City of Augusta leadership for their continued support,” said the fire department.

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Augusta, GA

‘It feels incredible to be something’: Augusta boxer gets UFC contract

Published

1 day ago

August 30, 2024

Press Room

‘It feels incredible to be something’: Augusta boxer gets UFC contract

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It didn’t take long for Augusta’s Malcolm Wellmaker to find his way back to the gym.

Landing less than 24 hours ago, the newly minted UFC fighter was ready to hit the bag.

“It feels incredible to be something that I thought was so huge when I was a kid but to be able to take it and be a part of their lives personally, to be able to impact them personally, to be able to motivate them, to show them it can be done. It’s not just a guy on a poster, you know? It’s a dream come true,” said Wellmaker.

In two minutes on center stage in Vegas, Wellmaker went from the guy who studied to the one they’ll study.

“I watched him drop to the ground, I immediately knew my work was done. You know, it was this huge relief. It was this huge contentment,” he said.

It was a knockout that would knock out his future plans.

“I already had the construction job going. I had piping going for myself. I could have made a good living traveling the road, making money like that. I had people tell me, you know, that that’s the route I should take and not to waste my time with fighting,” said Wellmaker.

Wellmaker was 22 when he started training. Now, he’s 8 years stronger.

“Dana White told me it was time to get busy,” he said. “They could give me a fight next month. I could take it, and then if I do good, I can fight that next month again.”

Former local baseball coach Terry Holder

He’s the next name from Augusta to hit the UFC.

“Winning and getting a UFC contract, and being from Augusta, and putting so much focus on Augusta, is to hopefully, you know, inspire a lot of young athletes to pursue the dream of being in the UFC knowing that it can be done,” said Wellmaker.

Forrest Griffin from Evans took the UFC by storm in the 2000s. His name is now in the Hall of Fame.

Through Wellmaker’s contract, his requirement is to fight three times over a 12-month period.

While this has changed his life overnight, he’s still working as a pipefitter.

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