Sheriff: Ex-Deputy Committed 'Vile Act' On Handcuffed Inmate

LOGANVILLE, GA -- A former Barrow County deputy turned his patrol-car cameras off, pulled to the side of a road near the county jail and sexually assaulted a handcuffed, female inmate, Barrow County's sheriff says.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith, speaking to the Gwinnett Daily Post, gave a more detailed account of charges brought by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation against William Stephenson Mitchell, 42.

The GBI announced Monday that Mitchell, a deputy in Barrow County for about eight years, faces two counts of sexual assault against a person in custody, one count of false statements or writings and one count of violation of oath of public office -- all felonies.

Smith told the paper that on March 12, Mitchell had arrested the woman on a misdemeanor probation violation when he committed a "vile act that disgusts me and disgusts everybody else here."

“They pulled off on the side of the road near our jail, where he exited his vehicle, opened the back door and assaulted her sexually,” Smith alleged. “It wasn’t consensual that we know of. That’s what makes it this upsetting to me and our staff.”

The sheriff's office learned of the allegations against Mitchell on March 18, the GBI said, when the woman made a complaint, and he was fired on March 21, the same day Smith says his office asked the GBI to investigate.

Smith told the Daily Post that Mitchell lied to investigators, but also told them enough to reveal what had happened.

He also said Mitchell's car cameras were turned off for "a significant amount of time" on March 12.

Smith said he's heard no other complaints about Mitchell, but encouraged anyone who might have one to come forward.

To read the original Gwinnett Daily Post story, click here.

(Image via Georgia Bureau of Investigation)