Three former deputies from the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office surrendered Friday to face charges of using excessive force on an inmate last summer, authorities said.
A SLED investigation led to charges against former ACSO Sgt. Thomas Caffrey Jr., 43, of Aiken, Deputy Hillario Fuentes-Hillario, 41, of Orlando, and Cpl. Rodney Robinson Jr., 35, of North Augusta. The official charge is misconduct in office by a public official, a misdemeanor.
Sheriff Michael Hunt asked SLED to investigate last summer after allegations surfaced of excessive force against a 29-year-old inmate, according to sheriff’s Capt. Eric Abdullah. The inmate’s name was not released, and he was described only as a white male who was treated by a jail nurse. He did not require hospitalization, Capt. Abdullah said.
Using video evidence, it was determined that excessive force was used on the inmate when he did not follow commands. The detention officers were fired Aug. 11. Sheriff Hunt issued no press release about the firings like other surrounding agencies have done. But he asked SLED to conduct an independent investigation.
Warrants were issued, and the three ex-deputies surrendered on Friday morning. A bond hearing began just after 10 a.m. Friday.
Caffrey had begun employment on May 20, 2016, Fuentes-Hillario started on Nov. 30, 2018, and Robinson was hired on June 2, 2011.
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