Catoosa County Inmate Sentenced To 40 Years For Repeated Jailhouse Assaults

CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. – A Chickamauga man has been sentenced to decades in prison after being found guilty in two separate cases of violent assaults committed while incarcerated in the Catoosa County jail.

On January 9, 2026, 47-year-old Jeffrey Wade Anthony was found guilty following a non-jury trial before Superior Court Judge Melissa Hise in the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit. Anthony was convicted in both cases of committing unlawful acts of violence in a penal institution.

According to court records, Anthony was first incarcerated in the Catoosa County jail on February 3, 2023, for a probation violation. While in custody, surveillance video captured Anthony initiating a physical altercation by pushing another inmate into a corner. When the inmate attempted to defend himself, Anthony struck him with a punch. Anthony was later transferred to the Georgia Department of Corrections to serve his sentence related to the probation violation.

After completing that sentence, Anthony was returned to the Catoosa County jail to face charges stemming from the February 2023 incident. While awaiting trial, investigators say Anthony committed a second unprovoked assault. On April 14, 2025, surveillance video showed Anthony approaching another inmate who was lying on his bunk and repeatedly punching and striking him.

Following his convictions in both cases, Anthony was sentenced to 40 years in prison. The first 15 years are to be served in the Georgia Department of Corrections without the possibility of parole, due to his extensive criminal history.

The State of Georgia was represented by Assistant District Attorneys Grace Talbot and David Wolfe. The cases were investigated by Detective Lieutenant Todd Pitts and Lieutenant Ethan Powell.

Acting District Attorney Deanna Reisman said the prosecution reflects a commitment to safety inside detention facilities.

“Violent acts committed by inmates in our local jails create a dangerous environment for our local jailers, law enforcement officers, and other inmates,” Reisman said. “The District Attorney’s Office will prosecute individuals who commit these violent acts while in confinement to the fullest extent of the law.”