Worst,sandwich : Ex-deputy given probation for jail-food prank

A former Franklin County deputy who was fired for feeding a jail prisoner a tainted sandwich agreed to a plea deal yesterday that places him on probation for five years.

Joseph M. Cantwell, 38, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor health-code violations for giving Joseph Copeland a bologna sandwich that had been rubbed against another prisoner's penis.

In exchange for the guilty pleas, City Prosecutor Lara Baker dropped charges of dereliction of duty and disorderly conduct.

Baker called Cantwell's behavior "grossly inappropriate" for a jail deputy. But Cantwell lost his job and had no previous criminal record, she said.

Franklin County Municipal Judge Harland H. Hale fined Cantwell $500 but suspended a 90-day jail sentence, provided that he complete his probation.

Cantwell, of Park Point Lane in Lewis Center in Delaware County, and another deputy, Phillip Barnett, photographed the sandwich incident in the Downtown jail. Both were fired by Sheriff Jim Karnes in May.

Barnett was not charged with a crime.

Copeland and two other prisoners have sued the county.

"I'm really heartfelt sorry for the shame and embarrassment I caused (to) everyone linked to this incident, especially my fellow deputies and the sheriff," Cantwell said.

Defense attorney Jonathan Tyack said Cantwell has not found another job.

The incident "was blown out of proportion and it was a prank, but I also understand why people are upset," Tyack said. "No one was asking for jail time."