Clover officer charged with assaulting inmate

A Clover Police Department officer was charged Thursday with assault and battery third degree following an investigation by state authorities into a February incident, according to a copy of the arrest warrant.

According to the report, Clover officer Jerry Lee Polson was acting in the capacity of a law enforcement officer on Feb. 7 when he “did commit an unlawful assault and battery upon Anotonio McCray,” who was in custody at York County Detention Center in York at the time.

The incident was witnessed and captured on video, the report states.

Polson had been placed on unpaid administrative leave during the investigating by State Law Enforcement Division.

The man, identified as Antonio McCray, told WSOC that he was taken into custody last week because he had missed a court appearance.

McCray said once he and the officer were inside the detention center booking area, the two exchanged words, and the police officer grabbed him by his hoodie and slung him across the room, according to initial reports in February.

According to state code of laws, assault and battery third degree is a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, faces a fine of not more than $500 and not more than 30 days in jail, or both.

John Barnett, a full-time national civil rights activist, called a press conference at 1:45 p.m. April 7 at Moss Justice Center.

“We are pleased with the fact that the solicitor and individuals responsible for the arrest of the Clover officer have gone forward with that,” Barnett said, with McCray by his side.

Barnett said The Montgomery Law Firm of Charlotte, N.C., will represent McCray, and they’d like to see if more charges could be filed against the officer.

Barnett said he is planning a justice rally in Clover around the time of the upcoming April 26 court date.

“We will be in court, here for Mr. McCray,” Barnett said.

This story was originally published April 7, 2017 at 12:47 PM with the headline "Clover officer charged with assaulting inmate."