Former Charleston County detention deputy charged with assault and battery

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – A former Charleston County detention deputy has been charged with assault and battery.

The charges come after a “use of force” incident was reported at the Al Cannon Detention Center on Wednesday.

An investigation into the matter revealed that Alan Genest, 34, used inappropriate force while taking an inmate to the ground, and while securing the same inmate into an emergency restraint chair.

Officials with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office said Genest was immediately put on administrative leave with pay; however, he was terminated Friday and arrested on one count of assault and battery in the second degree and one count of misconduct in office.

Genest has been with the agency since 2017.

“I pledge to run a safe and secure Detention Center and want the community to know behavior like this will not be tolerated,” said Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie. “When something like this happens, we investigate and take swift action.”

The agency’s Office of Professional Standards and the Criminal Investigations Division are investigating.