SUMTER, S.C. — A Sumter County jail employee was arrested following an investigation into an incident in mid-September.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division announced on Friday that agents had arrested 60-year-old Michael Hugo Alston on charges of misconduct in office and second-degree assault and battery for an incident that happened on Sept. 18.
According to warrants provided by SLED, Alston assaulted an inmate after he "threw an unknown liquid" through the flap on the door to his cell. The warrant said Alston entered the cell after requesting it be opened. He then allegedly hit the inmate "multiple times in the head with a TASER," the warrant states. It also said the device was "activated and cycled."
The warrant said the inmate had visible injuries and had to receive treatment and stitches at Prisma Health Tuomey.
SLED said Sheriff Anthony Dennis requested the state agency investigate the incident after it happened. The sheriff's office said in a statement that Alston was immediately relieved of his duties, arrested and charged.
“Our concerns are officer safety, inmate safety, and health. I feel that the officer overreacted in this case and it cannot be tolerated,” Sheriff Dennis said.
Dennis said he was disappointed in the correctional officer's actions.
“We work extremely hard to hold the highest standards as we fulfill our duties and earn the public’s trust," he said. "An incident like this hurts our mission and goes directly against our purpose of putting citizens first.”
The Third Circuit Solicitor's Office is handling the investigation. The sheriff's office said Alston was released on a $3,000 recognizance bond as he awaits trial.