Former Tate County Deputy Indicted

OXFORD, Miss. (Press Release) — – Felicia C. Adams, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, and Don Alway, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced the indictment of Randy T. Doss, age 62. Doss, who was a deputy with the Tate County Sheriff’s Office until February 2, 2012, is charged with unlawfully assaulting a detainee at the Tate County Jail.

The indictment charges that on January 27, 2012, while acting under color of law, Doss violated J.W.’s right not to be deprived of liberty without due process of law in violation of Title 18, U.S. C., Section 242. According to the indictment, Doss assaulted an individual, who was in custody, by using a Taser against him, resulting in bodily injury.

Doss made his initial appearance and arraignment in federal court yesterday. If convicted, he faces a maximum punishment of ten (10) years imprisonment.

Donald Alway, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Mississippi, stated: “In order to effectively serve and protect their communities, law enforcement officers are entrusted with certain powers and authority, which they are expected to wield with the utmost integrity. This officer is charged with abuse of that power and authority. I appreciate the cooperation and professional handling of this matter by the investigators, the prosecutors and, especially, Tate County Sheriff Brad Lance, who brought these allegations to our attention.”

This case is being investigated by the Jackson Division of the FBI, with assistance from the

Tate County Sheriff’s Office, and being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi, and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.

The public is reminded that, as in any criminal case, a person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges filed merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.