Former WCSO jailer charged with aggravated battery, cruelty to inmates and Violation of Oath

Barrow County jailer arrested in separate incident

Walton County, GA (August 14, 2024) – The Georgia Bureau of investigation announced that on Aug. 12 it had arrested and charged a former Walton County Sheriff’s Office Jailer, Jeffrey Sean Day, 39, of Monroe with aggravated battery, cruelty to inmates, and Violation of Oath of Office.

Jeffrey Sean Day

According to a press release from the GBI, on Aug. 1, 2024, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to investigate allegations that a former Walton County jailer physically injured a handcuffed Walton County inmate on Sunday, July 28, 2024, causing injuries that required medical treatment. Day was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Walton County Jail. According to WCSO, he is currently out on $25,000 bond.

Once complete, the case file will be given to the Alcovy Judicial Circuit District Attorney for prosecution. (Editor’s Note: Please note an arrest or charge does not constitute a conviction)

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Walton County Sheriff’s Office at 770-307-3080 (for anonymous tips) or the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Athens, GA at 706-552-2309. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

In a separate incident, on Aug. 9, the GBI arrested and charged former Barrow County Sheriff’s Office Jailer Lolita Lightner, 50, of Winder, with Cruelty to Inmates and Violation of Oath of Office.

According to the press release, the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to investigate an incident involving Lightner on Sunday, July 21, 2024. Several Barrow County Jail inmates were affected by a substance believed to be pepper spray was allegedly intentionally put in their food. Lightner was in charge of the care of the inmates. At this point in the investigation, agents suspect that she acted alone. Lightner was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Barrow County Jail. Once that investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Piedmont Judicial Circuit for prosecution. (Editor’s Note: Please note an arrest or charge does not constitute a conviction)

Anyone with information in this case is encouraged to contact the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office at 770-307-3080 (for anonymous tips) or the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Athens, GA at 706-552-2309. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.