A corrections officer at the Carter County Detention Center has been fired amid an investigation into a report that an assault took place in the facility.
Carter County Sheriff Chris Mathes announced Friday afternoon that the employment of Corrections officer Chancelor Presnell had been terminated following the investigation into an assault which allegedly occurred at the detention center on August 10. Mathes said Presnell, who had worked with the department as a corrections officer for approximately 9 months, was dismissed from employment due to violations of department policy and procedures for unbecoming conduct, misconduct with inmates, excessive force resulting in an injury, non-reporting of a use of force incident, and departure from his work zone without authorization.
“A Criminal investigation is being conducted and criminal charges are currently being compiled against Presnell,” Mathes said in a released statement, adding the charges would likely be presented to the Grand Jury in September. “Allegations surrounding this incident involve an inmate who made sexual and inappropriate remarks to a female corrections officer, which was subsequently followed by the inmate being assaulted by Presnell in retaliation.”
“Sometimes even the best officers can have poor judgment, but never can these types of actions be tolerated as proper inmate disciplinary procedures are in place but were clearly not followed in this case by the employees,” he added.
Mathes said the investigation into the incident is still ongoing at this time.