CAMDEN COUNTY, Ga. — A former Camden County Sheriff’s Office deputy sheriff and jail corporal will spend 16 months in prison for his role in the 2022 beating of a pretrial detainee that garnered national attention, the Department of Justice announced Thursday.

Ryan Robert Biegel, 27, pleaded guilty Jan. 28 to one count of using unreasonable force against 41-year-old Jarrett Hobbs, who was detained at the Camden County jail on traffic violation and drug possession charges. 

All the charges against Hobbs were dropped after a settlement was reached with the Camden County Sheriff’s Office.

On Sept. 3, 2022, Biegel and two other correctional officers entered Hobbs’ holding cell before pushing him against a wall and restraining him. Biegel admitted to punching Hobbs five times in the back of the head, and hitting him an additional 22 times in the head and body with his fists and knees, the DOJ said.

In addition to spending 16 months in prison, Biegel will serve three years of supervised release.

The Camden County Sheriff’s Office released a statement following Biegel’s sentencing. 

“Biegel, who is no longer employed with this agency, acted outside the values, policies, and professional standards of the Sheriff’s Office. His actions do not reflect the integrity or mission of this agency,” the statement read in part. 

“The safety of our staff, inmates, and the public is our top priority,” said Sheriff Kevin Chaney. “Accountability applies to everyone—including law enforcement. We remain committed to transparency and upholding the public’s trust.”

Mason Garrick and Braxton Massey, both corrections officers, were indicted on charges of battery and violation of oath following Hobbs’ beating. First Coast News reached out to investigators for an update on their cases.