The GBI has arrested and charged 3 former Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) officers, one GDC investigator, and one former Floyd County deputy for the aggravated assault on an inmate in the Floyd County Jail.

Reports said that Joshua Riddle, 32 of LAfayette, threatened and terrorized an inmate at the Floyd Couty Jail back on June 4 2024 while being transferred from the Floyd Couty Jail to the Georgia Department of Corrections.

Reports said that Riddle used his hands and an object to beat the inmate which resulted in serious body injury while the other suspects watched and later died to investigators about what occurred.

On June 5, 2024, the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office made the request after the assault of an inmate.

The following people were arrested:

  • Josha Riddle, age 32, of Lafayette Georgia. Charged with Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats and Acts, Battery, and Violation of Oath of Office.
  • Billy Lingerfelt, age 63, of Lafayette, Georgia. Charged with Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats and Acts, Battery, and Violation of Oath of Office.
  • Donna Pettyjohn, age 56, of Lafayette, Georgia. Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault, Conspiracy to Commit Terroristic Threats and Acts, Conspiracy to Commit Battery, False Statements, and Violation of Oath of Office.
  • Hannah Rittweger, age 32, of Adairsville, Georgia. Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault, Conspiracy to Commit Terroristic Threats and Acts, Conspiracy to Commit Battery, False Statements, and Violation of Oath of Office.
  • Logan Nelson, age 24, of Cave Spring Georgia. Charged with party to the crimes of: Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats and Acts, Battery, and Violation of Oath of Office.

They are currently being held in the Floyd County Jail.

This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office at 706-291-4111 or the GBI regional investigative office in Calhoun at 706-624-1424. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to Floyd County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

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