Officer arrested in inmate assauult

North Carolina Department of Public Safety


	North Carolina DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION Michael F. Easley, Governor Theodis Beck, Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 4, 2001

Contact: Tracy Little
Public Information Director
(919) 716-3700

OFFICER ARRESTED IN ASSAULT ON INMATE

RALEIGH – A sergeant at N.C. Correctional Institution for Women has been arrested by the State Bureau of Investigation for assaulting an inmate at the prison.

Tony Spearman, 40, was charged Tuesday with assault inflicting serious bodily injury. He has been placed on investigatory leave pending outcome of the investigation.

The charge stems from a Friday incident in which Spearman struck inmate Linda Burt in the face with his fist. Burt was treated by medical staff at the prison and then taken to WakeMed for further treatment. She returned to the prison Friday night.

Burt is serving a sentence of eight to 10 months for habitual misdemeanor assault. She has previous convictions of assault on a public official and has committed rule violations involving assaults on prison staff since her incarceration.

Spearman has been employed with the Department of Correction since April 1988. He transferred to NCCIW from Polk Youth Institution in Butner in June 2000.

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