Lawsuit claims Columbus County Jail staff didn’t stop an inmate from being assaulted

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A lawsuit filed against several jail employees and the former sheriff claimed an inmate was severely beaten and staff didn’t stop it.  

WWAY read through the court documents on Tuesday. 

The documents show that Joshua Johnson, a former inmate at the Columbus County Jail, filed a civil lawsuit against four employees including former Sheriff Jody Greene and current Sheriff Bill Rogers. 

The lawsuit filed December 1 claimed four inmates assaulted Johnson inside his cell on August 3, 2022. 

It alleged Johnson was left with a “severe traumatic brain injury” resulting in “recurring migraines,” “persistent respiratory problems,” “limited stamina,” “cognitive deficiencies,” “severe anxiety,” and “panic attacks.” 

The lawsuit claimed that dangerous and potentially deadly conditions exist inside the Columbus County Detention Center and that the defendants disregarded Johnson’s safety. 

Johnson is suing Greene and two other employees as individuals and Rogers in his official capacity as Sheriff. 

The lawsuit stated that before the assault, Johnson didn’t feel safe in the pod he was housed in and asked to be reassigned. As the threat of danger escalated, Johnson repeatedly pressed the emergency call button to get Correction officers to help him and they ignored his calls for help. 

WWAY reached out to the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office. They said they aren’t commenting on any pending lawsuits.