HENRY COUNTY, Ind. — A former Henry County Jail corrections officer accused of shooting a pepper ball gun at an inmate was charged in federal court with using excessive force.
Curtis Doughty, 27, of Muncie, was charged with deprivation of rights under color of law, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday, Oct. 24.
According to court documents, on Feb. 14, 2024, Doughty participated in a scheduled search of an inmate housing pod in the jail, during which inmates were moved into a holding area in the recreation yard.
During that search, Doughty was one of two officers responsible for directing inmates to face the wall and remain seated. The DOJ said that when an inmate turned his head away from the wall, Doughty, without warning, shot his pepper ball gun at point-blank range into the inmate's spine, causing injury.
Doughty then allegedly yelled to other inmates in the area, "congratulations, you all inhale now," regarding the pepper ball gas.
Other members of the team reported the incident to a commander, who pulled Doughty from duty.
If convicted, Doughty faces up to 10 years in federal prison, the DOJ said.
The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Henry County Sheriff's Office.
