BEDFORD– An inmate who was being housed at the Lawrence County Jail is facing felony charges stemming from a physical altercation that occurred within the jail on October 30, 2024.
According to a Probable Cause Affidavit filed by Lawrence County Police Officer Calvin Callahan, Austin Sullivan, 22, is accused of battery with bodily injury and strangulation with loss of consciousness.
The investigation began on November 3, 2024, when jail staff received information from another inmate about an alleged assault that took place in J block, cell 4, on October 30 at approximately 6:21 p.m.
Officer Callahan interviewed the inmate, who stated he was arguing with another inmate when Sullivan then entered the cell, while he was on the floor being punched in the face and head by two other inmates. The inmate alleged that Sullivan put him in a “rear naked choke,” causing him to lose consciousness and the ability to breathe or speak. The inmate credited another male inmate for intervening and pulling the alleged attackers off of him, stating he believed he “might be dead” if not for his fellow inmate’s actions.
Officer Callahan noted visible bleeding on the inmate’s right cheek and took photographs of his injuries.
The male inmate who intervened was interviewed and confirmed he helped pull individuals off the inmate, but declined to name anyone involved.
Austin Sullivan, after being advised of his Miranda Rights, corroborated the account that the inmate had been calling people names. He stated that when he entered the cell, another inmate appeared to be “getting the better of” the victim and that he intervened to separate them by “grabbing both of them and pulling.” When asked specifically if his arm was around the inmate’s neck, Sullivan reportedly said he didn’t know and described his actions as “something like a bear hug” to pull them apart. Sullivan did not report any injuries.
Another inmate who witnessed the altercation from outside the cell told Officer Callahan that he had heard two inmates arguing. This inmate stated that Sullivan entered the cell to pull the inmate apart, but specifically denied seeing Sullivan choke the inmate. He claimed the inmate was only trying to separate the two fighting inmates.
Based on the information gathered, Officer Callahan forwarded the information to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office, and a warrant was issued for Sullivan’s arrest on charges of battery causing bodily injury and strangulation. He was detained on Tuesday, April 29.
