A Richmond County deputy is accused of sexual crimes against a female Public Defender’s Office employee in a jailhouse interview room.
Deputy Jailer Joseph Clarke, 29, allegedly committed sexual battery and aggravated sodomy against the victim in the interview room, according to a RCSO press release. The allegations came to light on Wednesday.
“As a result of the investigation, investigators determined that probable cause existed to charge Deputy Clarke with Criminal Attempt Aggravated Sodomy, False Imprisonment, Sexual Battery, and Violation of Oath by Public Officer,” the press release says. “On June 15, 2023, Deputy Clarke was arrested and booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.”
Deputy Clarke began his RCSO employment on Oct. 31, 2020. He was assigned to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center, where he was a finalist for Detention Center Employee of the Year in 2021. But he was terminated on June 15, 2023.
His mugshot was not immediately available.
“This incident will follow the same course as any other criminal investigation, and no other information will be provided at this time,” the sheriff’s office said.
The officer’s arrest follows a long list of Richmond County deputies being criminally charged as Sheriff Richard Roundtree takes a zero-tolerance policy on criminal activity among the ranks. On June 4, Deputy Demondre Mahoney was arrested for bringing contraband into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
In April, Deputy Ellis Belton, 24, and Deputy Deborah Ritzy Griffin, 28, were also charged with bringing in contraband.
