Deputy pleads guilty in jailhouse food tampering

[September 10, 2009]  COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A former Ohio deputy accused of feeding an inmate a bologna sandwich that been rubbed against another inmate's genitals has pleaded guilty to two health code violations. In a Columbus courtroom on Wednesday, 38-year-old Joseph Cantwell also apologized for the shame and embarrassment that he said he had caused.

A judge fined him $500 plus court costs, and Cantwell also received a 90-day suspended jail sentence and five years' probation.

Cantwell's attorney called the February incident at the Franklin County Jail a "prank." It led Sheriff Jim Karnes to fire Cantwell and his partner in May. The other deputy was not charged with a crime.

The inmates who were involved have filed lawsuits against the county.

[Associated Press]

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