GBI Arrests Former GDC Corrections Officers, Investigator, and Floyd County Deputy in Violent Inmate Assault Investigation:
Rome, Georgia (August 2, 2024) – 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.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Floyd County Sheriff’s Office reports, On June 4, Georgia Department of Corrections Officer Joshua Lee Riddle, 32, of LaFayette, GA, attacked an inmate at the Floyd County Jail while he was in the process of being transported to state prison. According to the warrants, Riddle threatened to kill the inmate and seriously beat him. Georgia Department of Corrections Investigator Hannah Danielle Rittweger, 32, of Adairsville, GA, is accused of providing the name of the inmate, who had been sentenced to prison on child molestation charges, to Riddle prior to the attack. Corrections Officer Donna Michelle Pettyjohn, 56, of Lafayette, GA, checked to see if there were cameras in the dress out area of the jail before Riddle attacked the inmate. Corrections Officer Billy Joe Lingerfelt, 63, of Lafayette, GA, and now former Floyd County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Logan Eugene Nelson, 24, of Cave Spring GA, were reported as acting as lookouts and attempting to hide the fact that the assault was taking place.
Josha Riddle was charged with Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats and Acts, Battery, and Violation of Oath of Office. Billy Lingerfelt was charged with Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats and Acts, Battery, and Violation of Oath of Office. Donna Pettyjohn was 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. Hannah Rittweger was 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. Logan Nelson was charged with party to the crimes of: Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats and Acts, Battery, and Violation of Oath of 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.
