
On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, following an ongoing investigation, a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputy was arrested in connection with the assault of a male inmate at the Jefferson County Jail.
The deputy has been identified as 24-year-old Nicholas Chaz Austin. Austin has been charged with Assault 2nd Degree and has been placed on administrative leave from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office pending the outcome of the investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no additional information is available for release at this time.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.