On May 17, 2023, the Camden County Grand Jury returned a True Bill of Indictment against Camden County Sheriff’s Deputy Corporal Brian Beagle, and Detention Officers Corporal Mason Garrick and Officer Braxton Massey for the offenses of Battery, Simple Battery and two counts each of Violation of Oath by Public Officer. The charges stem from an incident in the Camden County Jail involving inmate Jarrett Hobbs on September 3, 2022.
On November 15, 2022, Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Keith Higgins requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation conduct an investigation in the allegations after the District Attorney’s Office became aware of the incident. The GBI arrested Beagle, Garrick and Massey on November 22, 2022. All three bonded from jail. The results of the investigation were turned over to the District Attorney’s Office and the case was presented to the Camden County Grand Jury on May 17, 2023.
DA Higgins stated “Peace officers have great power over those who are in their custody and control. We trust our officers to responsibly exercise their power and properly treat the people who are being detained. When our trust is broken by the excessive use of force, the officers must be held accountable. No one is above the law. Those who enforce the law cannot be allowed to break it.”
Battery and Simple Battery are misdemeanors with a possible punishment of up to 12 months in jail. Violation of Oath by Public Officer is a felony with a possible punishment of 1 to 5 years in prison.
Members of the media with further questions may contact the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorneys’ Office at 912-554-7200.
