Chief deputy faces charges for assaulting inmates
Washington County sheriff says Wilson was fired in March
By
TERESA RESSEL\Daily Journal Staff Writer
Dec 29, 2006 - 20:05:52 CST
POTOSI - The former chief deputy for the Washington County Sheriff's Department is facing charges for allegedly assaulting two inmates.
Former Chief Deputy and Major, Vernon G. Wilson, 53, of Potosi, has been charged with two counts of second-degree assault. The charges were filed by the Washington County Prosecuting Attorney's Office on Dec. 22.
Each charge carries a sentence of up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to $5,000.
Sheriff Kevin Schroeder said Wilson was terminated on March 1 and had been placed on administrative leave 30 days prior to that.
He said early in the year, an internal investigation began into department policy violations.
He said during the investigation which began for those alleged policy violations and after Wilson was terminated, a lot of information came forward from the jail, and a criminal investigation began.
Prosecuting Attorney John Rupp said the sheriff requested his office's investigator to act as an internal investigator in the case.
According to a probable cause statement signed by Investigator Donald Cooksey, on Aug. 14, 2005, Wilson assaulted an inmate by punching, slapping, and slamming the man's head into the concrete jail cell wall. It states the inmate lost consciousness and received numerous bruises, a swollen eye, face, and cheek and a severely lacerated lip.
The probable cause statement also alleges Wilson assaulted another inmate in November of 2005 by choking, slapping, punching and then slamming the inmate into the concrete wall of his cell.
Schroeder said he had no idea inmates were being mistreated. He said what he is hearing now is that everyone employed in the jail at the time was very much afraid of Wilson and “due to that fear, they wouldn't say anything.” He said the employees were afraid of Wilson, and what he would do or could do to them.
Schroeder said he hired Wilson when he took over in January 2005. Wilson had previously worked for other departments including Jefferson County.
Rupp said others were also investigated. He said no other charges have been filed but the investigation is still ongoing. Schroeder said he is not concerned that his other employees were involved.
The FBI also conducted an investigation into allegations of violation of civil rights. Rupp and Schroeder said they do not know the conclusion of that investigation but believe a report has been submitted to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
He's also been married 5 times.
He use his power for personal gains.
Warn the voters who this man reeally is!
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