A former Georgia deputy gets federal prison for beating a Black man in a jail cell
Share and Follow


SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — A former Georgia sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to 16 months in federal prison for repeatedly punching a Black detainee whose beating by guards was recorded by a jail security camera nearly three years ago.

A U.S. District Court judge sentenced 27-year-old Ryan Biegel on Thursday. The former Camden County deputy had pleaded guilty earlier this year to violating the due process rights of Jarrett Hobbs by using unreasonable force.

Hobbs of Greensboro, North Carolina, was booked into the Camden County jail near the Georgia-Florida line for traffic violations and drug possession charges on Sept. 3, 2022.

Security video from that night showed Hobbs standing alone in his cell before five guards rushed in and surrounded him. At least three deputies were shown punching him in the head and neck before Hobbs was dragged from the cell and hurled against a wall.

Hobbs’ attorneys, Harry Daniels and Bakari Sellers, said in a statement Friday that jailers “beat him mercilessly” with false confidence they would never be prosecuted.

“Let this sentence serve as some solace to everyone who has been terrorized by violence masquerading as law and order and a warning to their brutalizers,” the lawyers’ statement said. “Your badge will not protect you any more than it protected Ryan Biegel.”

Biegel’s defense attorney, Adrienne Browning, said she had no immediate comment.

Biegel and two other deputies, all of them white, were fired and arrested in connection with the assault on Hobbs, but not until more than two months later when one of Hobbs’ attorneys obtained the video and made it public.

All three still face state charges of battery and violating their oaths of office, according to Camden County Superior Court records.

U.S. District Court records show federal charges being brought only against Biegel.

It was Hobbs who was initially charged after being attacked in his cell. Prosecutors later dismissed charges of aggravated battery, simple assault and obstruction of law enforcement officers against Hobbs, citing a lack of evidence.

Also dropped were the traffic violation and drug charges that had landed Hobbs in jail. Camden County officials paid Hobbs a cash settlement to avoid a civil lawsuit, but the amount was not disclosed.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Government shutdown becomes the longest on record as fallout spreads nationwide

Historic Government Shutdown Breaks Record: Nationwide Impact Intensifies as Crisis Unfolds

The ongoing government shutdown has now reached its 36th day, setting a…
Sir David Beckham receives knighthood from King Charles — and Victoria has a new name, too

Sir David Beckham Honored with Knighthood by King Charles as Victoria Embraces New Title

Meet Sir David Beckham, the newly knighted icon. The legendary footballer, now…
Democrats win key Georgia special elections seen as midterm bellwethers

Democrats Secure Pivotal Georgia Victories: Key Indicators for Upcoming Midterms

by: Caroline Vakil, The Hill Posted: Nov 4, 2025 / 09:04 PM…
When to expect mayoral race results and more

Unveiling the Timeline: When to Expect Crucial Mayoral Race Results and Key Updates

The highly anticipated Election Day has arrived. Over a million residents of…
Dick Cheney, former US Vice President, dies aged 84, family announces

Former Vice President Dick Cheney Passes Away at 84, Family Confirms

Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, a prominent advocate for the Iraq…
Florida boater rescues two people from vessel engulfed in flames off coast

Florida Boater Heroically Rescues Two from Flaming Vessel Off Coast

A dramatic rescue unfolded off the Florida coast on Monday when a…
Who will be New York City's next mayor? Track the live election results

Stay Updated: Live Tracking of New York City’s Mayoral Election Results

In a last-minute effort to sway voters, candidates vying for the position…
Judge calls case involving alleged sandwich-throwing former DOJ worker 'simplest case in the world'

Judge Labels Alleged Sandwich-Throwing Case Involving Ex-DOJ Employee as “Simplest Case in the World

The trial of a former Justice Department employee accused of assaulting a…