Five Former Georgia Law Enforcement Officers Charged With Aggravated Assault Against Inmate

Left (T-B): Lingerfelt and Nelson Right: Rittweger, Riddle, and PettyjohnPhoto byFCSO

According to officials with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), three former officers from the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC), one GDC investigator, and a former Floyd County deputy have been charged for the aggravated assault of an inmate at the Floyd County Jail.

Per the release, the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office requested an investigation following the inmate's assault on June 5, 2024.

Following the investigation, the four individuals were arrested and booked into the Floyd County Jail.

The individuals arrested include:

Joshua Riddle, 32, and Billy Lingerfelt, 63, both of Lafayette, Georgia, have been charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats and acts, battery, and violation of oath of office.

Donna Pettyjohn, 56, of Lafayette, Georgia, was charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit terroristic threats and acts, conspiracy to commit battery, false statements, and violation of oath of office

Hannah Rittweger, 32, of Adairsville, Georgia, charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit terroristic threats and acts, conspiracy to commit battery, false statements, and violation of oath of office.

Logan Nelson, 24, of Cave Spring, Georgia, charged with being a party to the crimes of aggravated assault, terroristic threats and acts, battery, and violation of oath of office.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are seeking additional information.

Officials with the GBI urge anyone with information to contact the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office at 706-291-4111 or the GBI regional investigative office in Calhoun at 706-624-1424. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or via the "See Something, Send Something" mobile app.

Attributions: Georgia Bureau of Investigation