July 30, 2009
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AUGUSTA, Ga. --- Investigators say it all happened here, behind these doors at the Country Club on Washington Road in Augusta. Investigators say Deputy Bryan Johnson beat a man he was arresting at ...
AUGUSTA, Ga. --- Investigators say it all happened here, behind these doors at the Country Club on Washington Road in Augusta. Investigators say Deputy Bryan Johnson beat a man he was arresting at the club early Saturday morning. Investigators say Johnson had Sean Kersey in handcuffs after he got in a fight and pushed a patron.
"We're very upset about the whole situation, and of course wish it had not happened, but it did happen, and we address these things when it happens," Richmond County Sheriff, Ronnie Strength said.
Sheriff Ronnie Strength says Deputy Johnson was wearing his uniform, but was not working at the club at the time. He says another deputy was involved in helping break up the fight.
"Law enforcement officers must stay in the same guidelines, and within the same laws as any citizen," Strength said.
Investigators say Kersey has a dislocated jaw, shattered elbow, two black eyes, and loss of movement in his eye.
"It's extremely disappointing. I don't have a single person within this agency that does not know how I feel about things like this," Strength said.
Sheriff Strength says Johnson used excessive force against Kersey, and says this type of behavior will not be tolerated.
"There's no doubt in my mind that he knew he had gone too far," Strength said.
Johnson has been working with the Sheriff's Office since 2007, but that ends Tuesday, after the Sheriff says he pushed the limit.
Johnson is at the Richmond County Jail charged with aggravated battery. He's being held on a $25,000 bond.
Kersey, who is from Lexington, SC, was arrested for obstruction of a law enforcement officer and has bonded out of jail.
A spokesperson with the Country Club says Deputy Johnson worked security at the club in the past.
He also says their staff did not see anything until Johnson was escorting Kersey outside, and they say Kersey was continuing to fight with the officers.
Johnson's disciplinary record shows he's been suspended twice for speeding and carrying his weapon into the jail.
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