Former officer Louis Quattlebaum Jr., 28, of Sumter, was a lieutenant at the Turbeville Correctional Institute before being charged with third degree assault and battery, as well as misconduct in office.
According to warrants, Quattlebaum used chemical spray on an inmate after the inmate threw an unknown substance at him.
The arrest was announced by the South Carolina Department of Corrections Thursday. It was also announced that Quattlebaum is no longer employed by the department.
Quattlebaum is legally represented by Chris DuRant of Johnson, DuRant and Nester in Manning, SC. DuRant released this statement to The Times:
“Mr. Quattlebaum vehemently denies these allegations. His separation from the Department was purely voluntary, his resignation having been given more than a month prior to any notice of investigation of alleged wrongdoing.
As you can imagine, the nature of a correctional officer’s duties, to maintain order and safety amongst unruly individuals, renders them quite unpopular amongst those placed in their charge and frequently submits the officers to dangerous situations. We’re confident that once the facts are brought to light in this matter, Mr. Quattlebaum will be cleared of any wrongdoing.”
More information, as well as a full story will appear in next weeks edition of The Manning Times.
