A Blount County jury listened intently, reviewed key evidence in the trial of former Blount County Corrections Officer Joseph Snow, 45, and handed down a guilty verdict last Wednesday of second degree assault and failure of duty or violation by guard of convicts generally after attacking an inmate. The incident happened at the Blount County Correctional Facility on Dec. 3, 2022, while Jonathan Carl Calloway was being booked for a public intoxication charge. He was arrested by Oneonta police and transported to the jail without incident. The altercation was captured on surveillance video.
While watching the video, jurors observed Snow exiting an enclosed desk area and slamming Calloway's head against a wall. As the altercation ensued, Snow and Calloway fell to the floor where Calloway was struck repeatedly. At one point during this altercation, Snow used a Taser gun on Calloway’s head. The video also revealed Snow throwing a chair across the room. He then kicked Calloway in the face causing further injuries of a broken nose, blood pooling under his head, and missing teeth. Calloway did receive medical treatment at the correctional facility and was then taken to UAB St. Vincent’s Blount for further treatment.
Prosecutors noted through testimony that Calloway was compliant during the booking process and showed no aggressive behavior. When Snow told Calloway to stand against the wall for the booking photo, Calloway did as instructed but made a crude hand gesture to the camera. That is the point at which Snow appeared to have “lost it” and attacked the inmate.
Snow was booked into the correctional facility and will be sentenced on Oct. 21.
District Attorney Pamela Casey told
al.com, “This incident is not a reflection of the character of the men and women who work in law enforcement. This case is an exception. It is not the rule.”
The Blount Countian reached out to the Blount County Sheriff’s Office for comment. Sheriff Mark Moon said, “All of the facts that were mentioned are accurate. However, what was not mentioned is, as soon as I was notified of what happened, I had the video pulled and watched it. After reviewing the video and seeing what happened, I immediately called the state and asked them to investigate the case. Without delay, Snow was put on administrative leave. Once the state completed their interview with him, Snow was fired.
“State investigators worked diligently and quickly charged Snow for his actions. And, to echo what the DA said, this type of behavior is not acceptable, nor is it the practice of the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. Snow’s actions were reprehensible and, in no way, under any circumstances, would I condone this type of behavior. I am thankful for the work all my people do at the BCSO. I am thankful for the diligence of the state investigators that worked this case, and I am thankful for the prosecution of this deplorable action that scarred the reputation of hard working men and women of law enforcement.”
Loading...
