Guard shoots inmate ‘point blank’ in spine with pepper ball in Indiana, feds say
A former Indiana corrections officer was sentenced after authorities said he shot an inmate in the spine with a pepper ball gun.
Curtis Doughty, 28, was a corrections officer at the Henry County Jail, according to a May 13 news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana.
McClatchy News reached out to Doughty’s attorney for comment but did not immediately hear back.
On Feb. 13, 2024, inmates were moved to a holding area while officers, including Doughty, searched their cells, prosecutors said.
During the search, the inmates were told to sit on the floor and face the wall, officials said.
However, at one point, an inmate turned his head away from the wall and that’s when Doughty shot him in the spine at “point blank range” with a pepper ball gun, according to prosecutors.
Then Doughty yelled at the other inmates, “Congratulations, you all inhale that now,” officials said.
The inmate was injured by the pepper ball gun, prosecutors said.
Doughty was reported to a commander and pulled from duty due to his “egregious use of force,” according to prosecutors.
The inmate “was not resisting and no force was necessary under this scenario,” prosecutors said.
“Everyone, regardless of their status or circumstance, is entitled to dignity and no one should fear for their safety at the hands of those tasked with their care,” FBI Indianapolis Acting Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans said.
Doughty was sentenced to two years probation after pleading guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law.
