A Richmond County deputy jailer has been fired and arrested after investigators say he had sex with a female inmate while she was incarcerated at the county jail.
Avery Matthew Wood, 23, of Hephzibah, is charged with rape, sexual assault and violation of oath of office following a criminal investigation involving an inmate at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
Authorities said the alleged incidents occurred between October and November, while the woman was housed at the detention center on Phinizy Road. The alleged conduct ended when the inmate was transferred to a state facility.
Wood was hired by the sheriff’s office in November 2023 and assigned as a deputy jailer at the detention center.
According to the sheriff’s office, the Internal Affairs Division received a complaint on Friday involving Wood and a female inmate. After an initial review, the case was referred to the Criminal Investigation Division when officials determined the allegations could be criminal in nature.
Wood was terminated on Monday morning by Chief of Staff Lewis Blanchard for violations of agency policy warranting immediate dismissal. The criminal investigation continued, and on Tuesday, Wood was formally charged with three felony offenses.
Later that day, Wood was located by the Road Patrol Division and Crime Suppression Team, taken into custody, and transported to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center for incarceration.
Sheriff Gino Brantley said the sheriff’s office holds its employees to the highest professional and ethical standards and will act swiftly and transparently when those standards are violated. He said no one is above the law and that any employee who betrays the public trust will be held accountable.
