The GBI has arrested and charged 3 former Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) officers, one GDC investigator, and one former Floyd County deputy for the aggravated assault on an inmate in the Floyd County Jail.
On June 5, 2024, the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office made the request after the assault of an inmate.
The following people were arrested this past week:
- Joshua Riddle, age 32, of Lafayette Georgia. Charged with Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats and Acts, Battery, and Violation of Oath of Office.
- Riddle was a CSM Transfer Officer with GDC in 2023 (Salary $55,734.23 per OpenGeorgia)
- Billy Joe Lingerfelt, age 63, of Lafayette, Georgia. Charged with Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats and Acts, Battery, and Violation of Oath of Office.
- Lingerfelt was a CSM Transfer Officer with GDC in 2024 (Salary $61,026.69 per OpenGeorgia)
- Donna Pettyjohn, age 56, of Lafayette, Georgia. Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault, Conspiracy to Commit Terroristic Threats and Acts, Conspiracy to Commit Battery, False Statements, and Violation of Oath of Office.
- Pettyjohn was a CSM Transfer Officer with GDC in 2023 (Salary $66,713.44 per OpenGeorgia)
- Hannah Rittweger, age 32, of Adairsville, Georgia. Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault, Conspiracy to Commit Terroristic Threats and Acts, Conspiracy to Commit Battery, False Statements, and Violation of Oath of Office.
- Rittweger was a Criminal Investigator with GDC in 2023 (Salary $66,096 per OpenGeorgia)
- Logan Nelson, age 24, of Cave Spring Georgia. Charged with party to the crimes of: Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats and Acts, Battery, and Violation of Oath of Office.
- Nelson was employed by the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office.
They are currently being held in the Floyd County Jail.
This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office at 706-291-4111 or the GBI regional investigative office in Calhoun at 706-624-1424.
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.
Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to Floyd County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
