Williamsburg deputy charged with beating inmate

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A former Williamsburg County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested after state police say he beat an inmate who was being booked at the jail.

The State Law Enforcement Division says 34-year-old Bernard Jacob Ferguson of Kingstree was arrested Tuesday and charged with misconduct in office.

At around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, police say Ferguson assaulted James Timmons in the booking area of the Williamsburg County jail.

Police say the assault was captured on videotape and observed by witnesses.

It wasn’t immediately clear if Ferguson had an attorney. There was no answer at the sheriff’s department Tuesday afternoon.