Former Jailer at Georgia County Jail Arrested

Photo byBCSO

A 50-year-old former jailer has been charged by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) with cruelty to inmates and violation of oath of office.

On Sunday, July 21, the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to investigate an incident involving one of their jailers, Lolita Lightner of Winder, Georgia.

According to officials, Lightner was charged after several Barrow County Jail inmates were exposed to a substance believed to be pepper spray that was intentionally put in their food. At the time, Lightner was responsible for the care of the inmates and is suspected to have acted alone.

Lightner was arrested and subsequently booked into the Barrow County Jail.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office at 770-307-3080 (for anonymous tips) or the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Athens, GA at 706-552-2309.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at [https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online](https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online), or by downloading the "See Something, Send Something" mobile app.

Attributions: GBI