2 detention officers fired over alleged inmate assault

Authorities say two Cherokee County, North Carolina, detention officers have been terminated over the May 2 assault of a federal inmate in an ongoing investigation now involving state and federal investigators.

Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer said in a statement on the firings that federal inmate George Victor Stokes was assaulted by detention officer Wesley Gage Killian, a part-time employee, and Sgt. Josh Gunter.

No charges have been filed as the investigation continues.

The incident was brought to Palmer’s attention, and Cherokee County Lt. Joe Wood was directed to conduct an internal investigation, collect physical evidence and report his findings to the sheriff, who subsequently suspended the officers on Wood’s recommendation, Palmer said.

When the internal investigation was finished, Palmer fired Killian and Gunter according to departmental policy regarding the treatment of inmates.

Palmer conferred with Cherokee County District Attorney Ashley Welch, who agreed that a joint request should be made to the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation for a criminal investigation. Palmer said that because of the fact that Stokes was a federal inmate being housed at the Cherokee County Detention Center, the U.S. Marshal’s Office was also notified of the incident. All evidence collected by county investigators was turned over to the State Bureau of Investigation as part of its ongoing criminal investigation, he said.

Palmer said the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was continuing to work with state investigators and the District Attorney’s Office until the matter is resolved.