Richmond County investigators arrested after 2022 detention center incident

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Two Richmond County investigators were arrested on 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 at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center between deputies and inmates on May 7, 2022, 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.

Officials says 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 office. They were later terminated.

Officials says 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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