Monroe County, TN  A video has been leaked by a family member of an inmate at the Monroe County Jail that paints a scene akin to something out of a Hollywood movie about corrupt cops. The incident happened in 2017, but the victim’s family never knew video existed until now.
The victim’s sister, Chelsea Costner Cole, brought the video to the attention of the jail immediately after she watched it. Only because she was brave enough to come forward with the video did the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation open an official inquiry.
Cole told WATE 6 that her brother, Steven Costner Jr. told her deputies did this to him nearly four years ago but they had no proof until she first saw the video last week.
“We kept trying to get answers, you know talking to his lawyer, trying to talk to the guy who was over the jail at the time but we just weren’t getting nowhere. We had no proof,†Cole told the media outlet.
In the clip, multiple deputies surround Costner and watch as one of them begins pummeling his face. Costner was completely defenseless as his hands were inside of his shirt. He was surrounded by deputies, posed no threat at all, and was attacked like an animal. Highlighting the sadistic nature of the officers, one of the deputies smiles as another grabs something to cover up the camera.
“As soon as I saw the video, I literally jumped up started crying, could not breathe and I just started calling my mom,†Cole said, adding that she wants everyone to spread this video so they can expose the deputies who would do this to a person.
“I’m happy that people are watching it. It’s making the community outraged. If they’re going to do it to him, they’re going to do it to other people and they’re going to keep doing it. Unless somebody stops them,†Cole said.
According to WATE, Steven Costner Jr. is in jail serving 8 years for manufacturing meth. According to the report, he was up for parole on Monday. His current status is unknown.
Though local media did not identify the officers involved, in a Facebook post, the person who uploaded the video identified the officer who began punching Costner as deputy Jim Laney. The person laughing in the video was identified as deputy Kaileb Skinner, and the person covering the camera was identified as Josh Davis.
After the video was brought to their attention, Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones released a statement notifying the public that Cole had brought them the video.
On May 13, 2021, at around 3pm, a female subject who was visiting an inmate brought to Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones’ attention a video on social media, recorded in 2017.
Upon viewing the video, I saw four Correctional Officers in the former Monroe County jail. One of the Officers was in a verbal altercation with an inmate, which escalated into a physical altercation, and one of the officers covered the camera,†stated Sheriff Jones. After viewing the video, Sheriff Jones contacted the District Attorney’s office to have them assess the video. He has requested a full investigation be conducted by the District Attorney’s office, TBI and FBI.
At this time, the Sheriff cannot comment further, due to this being an open investigation, but he did add that none of the officers in the video are currently employed at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Further information will be made available at the conclusion of the investigation.
Although Jones notes that the deputies are no longer employed at the sheriff’s office, he stopped short of mentioning any discipline in the matter or their reason for leaving.
It is highly likely that they were allowed to quietly resign to avoid accountability for what you see in the video below.
** (Disclaimer: This video content is intended for educational and informational purposes only) **
He knows this should not be happening. Rather than be a real American and stop the abusive guard, he turns and covers the camera and becomes a party to the assault. PIGS.
WHICH ONE IS THE GOOD COP? I guess he had just left.
Maybe he was grabbing the camera to unload the film for the investigation.
Look how the cop was punching lol 😂
That was INSANE…. and of course, NOBODY stepped up and stopped him…. LOCK EM ALL UP!!
Whats wild is someone was stupid enough to post it on social media and apparently not long after it happened. There may be several other jail employees that didn't report it !!. Apparently it was reported not that long after it occurred.
Wtf
Oh hell no!
Too late to cover the corruption cause all you guys got caught beating that inmate without any provocation! You all are fckd! I smell a lawsuit coming plus indictments for all this a holes! Make sure you guys have a good supply of k y gel for your rears!
More badged thugs. This is what government does. And YOU are supporting it. Stop giving them your money.
I don't get why cops and correctional officers do that. It's too late, you're busted. Covering the camera just makes sure people know you knew it was wrong.
Felonies all around and a serious review of that guy to see if this warrants him being let go.
Can’t wait to hear about this one on the news.
We got to start killin em Patriot.
Prison guard puss
You can't steal that money from the public unless you are an out of control sadist operating with an IQ in the double digits. 5 people there should be in prison for 20 years without parole. And the puncher should be released into GP. With the cameras off.
All should be brought up on charges, then fired.
Death penalty for both officers. Anything less would condone these actions.
This happens every day in every state.
Every one of these people is guilty of participating in torture. Imagine that was an American imprisoned in a foreign country or an American soldier being held by captors of a rival force.
The people in that room would be guilty of war crimes/crimes against humanity. But because they are public welfare queens who call themselves civil servants, they are protected by sovereign immunity. Maybe they’ll lose a job at best.
Little late to cover the camera. All that did is make that guy extremely guilty
Hes fired .we will see to that.
– WTF!!!!!
They are blue line tyranny prsion guards all need go jail of their service time a year plus 5 years proh
They covered it up until the statue of limitations had allegedly run out so no legal consequences could be brought against them! But, their Atty should have been able to get it long time ago?