Prison officer from Hilton Head charged with sexual assault, kidnapping of a coworker
A now-fired Ridgeland Correctional Institution officer from Hilton Head Island has been charged with attempted sexual assault and kidnapping, according to state prison officials.
Johnny Lee Bryant Jr., 56, is accused of blocking the doorway of a briefing room at the state prison in Jasper County to prevent a woman from leaving and forcibly kissing her, according to an arrest warrant released by the S.C. Department of Corrections Police Services. The incident happened May 2, according to the warrant.
The woman was a fellow employee at the prison and fought off the advances until she could escape, the warrant says.
Bryant, a correctional officer supervisor, has since been fired, according to SCDC spokesperson Chrysti Shain.
Bryant is charged with one count of assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct in the second degree, one count of kidnapping, and one count of misconduct in office, court records show.
This story was originally published May 14, 2020 at 12:44 PM.
