MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two long-time Shelby County jailers who are accused of assaulting an inmate have been arraigned on charges.
Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy announced the indictments against Reginald Wilkins and Odell Underwood, who were indicted on Nov. 14, 2023, on charges of official oppression, official misconduct, and assault causing bodily injury. Both are out of jail after posting $20,000 bond each.
According to Mulroy, the inmate was accused of assaulting a deputy jailer earlier in the day. But Mulroy said at the time of the incident, the inmate had been placed in handcuffs, treated with a chemical agent, and was being taken to the medical facility inside the jail for treatment. Mulroy said at that location, “without justification,” the two jailers assaulted the inmate.
The D.A.’s office said the inmate had injuries to his face. They said cameras outside of the location where the assault happened provided “critical corroborative evidence” of the assault.
Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner said SCSO internal procedures found “troubling” conduct by the corrections officers and the office “immediately launched an internal investigation” followed by a criminal investigation. Bonner said when that investigation ended, they presented the findings to the D.A. for prosecution.
“When I believe officers are right, I will stand by them,” said Sheriff Bonner. “However, when I believe they are wrong, I will be the first to say and to try to hold them accountable to the full extent of the law. This is one of those cases.”
Bonner said both were relieved of duty with pay originally, then relieved of duty without pay once indicted, and will face departmental charges “in the near future.” Bonner said the two have not yet been fired but could face termination as part of the departmental charges.
Bonner said Underwood had been with the sheriff’s office for 25 years, and Wilkins for 16 years.