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Female Former Sheriff’s Sergeant Pleads Guilty To Tasing Restrained Inmates

A FBI press release dated November 16, 2011 announced that former Tuscaloosa, Alabama Sheriff’s Sergeant, Althea Mallisham, 52, has pleaded guilty to three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon while acting under color of law for wrongfully using a Taser during three separate incidents over a four-month period in 2008, in a federal court in Birmingham, Alabama. She was indicted in July, 2011.

Mallisham admitted that she used an X26 Taser to electro-shock three different pre-trial detainees as a means of punishment. The press release did not reveal the details for the cause of punishment. However, it did plainly reveal and the accused acknowledged that neither of the three instances posed any physical threat to her person, nor to any other officer or detainee. In each case, the detainee was either restrained by handcuffs or was securely locked inside a cell.

“This correction officer deliberately inflicted significant pain on those entrusted to her care for no legitimate law enforcement purpose,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. “Her criminal behavior undermines the dedicated efforts of the vast majority of officers who serve honorably. The Justice Department is committed to holding officers who engage in such criminal acts accountable.” (FBI press release dated November 16, 2011)

“Law enforcement officers are entrusted with great power so they can do their job and protect the public,” said Joyce White Vance, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. “Most officers respect that power and the laws they are sworn to uphold, performing their duties with honor and integrity. It is important that officers who use unreasonable force have to answer for their action.” (Ibid)

The sentencing date for Mallisham has been set for March 15, 2012. She faces maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each of the three counts.

This case was investigated by the Tuscaloosa resident agency of the FBI’s Birmingham Field Office. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney D.W. Tunnage of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamarra Matthews Johnson for the Northern District of Alabama.

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