May 25, 2013
CROSS CITY - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Tallahassee Regional Operations Center arrested Dixie County Correctional Officer Rionodo Brown, 39, on one count of sexual battery by a law enforcement officer and one count of attempted sexual battery by a law enforcement officer. Due to the authority and control that law enforcement and correctional officers have over the inmates, Florida law does not require the use of force or coercion for them to be charged. FDLE began investigating the case at the request of Dixie County Sheriff Dewey H. Hatcher, Sr.
“We will not allow this type of appalling behavior among our ranks,” said Sheriff Hatcher. “Not only is this man’s behavior a disgrace to the citizens of Dixie County, but also to the professional and dedicated members of the Sheriff’s Office who put their lives on the line every day to serve our citizens.”
The investigation alleges Brown engaged in illegal sexual conduct with female inmates. Subsequent to the month-long investigation, Brown was arrested without incident Thursday and booked into the Taylor County Jail. He is being held on a $400,000 bond.
