Inmate slain at Augusta prison; guard, 2 other inmates charged

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An inmate died Saturday in an altercation at the Augusta State Medical Prison, and a correctional officer as well as two other prisoners were charged.

The slain inmate, Roderick Hayes, 29, was serving a 10-year sentence for cruelty to children out of Fulton County, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections.

His body has been turned over to the county coroner and will be transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the official cause of death.

The death is being investigated by the Georgia Department of Corrections’ Office of Professional Standards, as is standard procedure. As a result, many details aren’t available because the investigation is ongoing.

The agency confirmed the arrest of former Officer Lloyd Hopkins, who was terminated Saturday after failing to follow policies and procedures while working at Augusta State Medical Prison, according to the agency.

According to Columbia County jail records, Hopkins, 51, is being held on charges of party to the crime of murder, party to the crime of aggravated assault and violation of an oath of office.

The agency said inmates Brendon Moore and Andy Ulysse have been charged with felony murder and aggravated assault.

Moore is serving time for crimes including rape, fleeing/eluding police, hijacking a motor vehicle, armed robbery, terroristic acts and threats, kidnapping and aggravated sodomy, according to prison records.

Ulysse is serving time for several crimes including kidnapping, armed robbery, false imprisonment and theft by taking, according to prison records.

The Georgia Department of Corrections said in a statement:

“The GDC maintains a zero tolerance policy for individuals who choose to ignore their oath and jeopardize our non-negotiable mission of public safety. The actions of this individual does not reflect the hundreds of Officers who are committed each and every day to ensuring the safety of the public and the safe operations of our facilities.”

Inmate slayings aren’t unheard of at the prison. Among the deaths there:

Hayes’ records with the Georgia Department of Corrections show other offenses including sexual exploitation of a child, pimping a minor under 18, trafficking sexual servitude and burglary.

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