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.

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