Johnson State Prison officer arrested, accused of enabling inmate assault

Baronique Burton was charged and fired after allegedly enabling an inmate assault at Johnson State Prison in Wrightsville.

WRIGHTSVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT). — A Johnson State Prison correctional officer was arrested and fired this month after being accused of enabling an inmate assault, according to warrants and a statement from the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC).

26-year-old Baronique Burton of Dublin was charged with violation of oath by public officer and unlawful acts of violence in a penal institution. According to court documents, the alleged incident happened between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on April 1 at Johnson State Prison in Johnson County.

Warrants signed April 3 by a Johnson County judge accuse Burton of being “a party to the crime of unlawful acts of violence in a penal institution by allowing inmates Rickie Smith and Lucas Dees to be assaulted by other inmates.”

Burton, who was hired on July 16, 2024, was terminated the same day the warrants were issued, according to the GDC.

“The GDC maintains a zero tolerance policy for individuals who choose to ignore their oath and jeopardize our non-negotiable mission of public safety and we are proud of our GDC Agents for their work in ensuring justice was served on this former Officer,” Commissioner Tyrone Oliver said in a statement. “The actions of this individual do not reflect the hundreds of Officers who are committed each and every day to ensuring the safety of the public and the safe operations of our facilities.”

The GDC did not release additional information.