NEWBERRY, S.C. – A man from Greenwood, South Carolina, faced sentencing after a violent altercation with a detention officer, as reported by the 8th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
36-year-old Tavon Dorsett Morton found himself at the Greenwood County Detention Center following the revocation of his bond in January of 2023 on various charges, including attempted murder dating back to a May 2020 shooting incident.
Authorities detailed an unsettling event on August 12, 2023, where Morton defied a detention officer’s instructions to return to his cell. Without provocation, Morton viciously assaulted the officer, striking him in the head repeatedly before violently slamming him onto the hard tile floor, causing the officer to immediately lose consciousness. The officer sustained severe head injuries, leading to profuse bleeding and seizures while awaiting emergency medical services.
After pleading guilty, Morton received a maximum 20-year prison sentence for the assault on the detention officer. Solicitor Stumbo expressed dismay at Morton’s complete disregard for others, emphasizing that the harsh sentence sent a resounding message against violence targeting those who work to ensure community safety.
In the wake of this incident, authorities hope to underscore the gravity of such assaults and reaffirm their commitment to protecting public servants diligently serving their respective communities. The consequences of violent behavior, as exemplified by Morton’s case, serve as a warning against endangering those tasked with maintaining order and security.