Allegations were made last week against the Cedar Bluff Police Department in the beating of a local resident. However, at this time, there is no evidence to support the claim and the victim himself has denied that any such beating took place.

Meanwhile, Jerry Ladon Rickett, the alleged victim of the beating, remains in the Cherokee County Detention Center charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. He’s also being held for violation of probation pending a probation revocation hearing.

Cedar Bluff Police, according to reports, stopped a vehicle on Thursday, Feb. 14, at a shopping center on State Route 68 in Cedar Bluff. A male fled the vehicle with officers giving chase. The man was caught a few of blocks away.

Residents of the area who witnessed the arrest claim police officers subdued the suspect, handcuffed him, place him on his stomach and beat him.

The suspect, according to the police report, was transported to the Cherokee Baptist Medical Center’s Emergency Department. Cherokee-BMC records indicate the suspect, Rickett, was treated and released.

A meeting was called at Cedar Bluff Town Hall Friday between Cedar Bluff Mayor Bob Davis, Police Commissioner and City Councilman Rickey Steele and City Clerk Mary Shaner and a group of citizens. Another meeting followed with Cherokee County Sheriff Roy Wynn, a member of Rickett’s family and Rickett at the detention center.

According to Mayor Davis, Rickett told the group the officers did not beat him. Sheriff Wynn said he checked Rickett and found no visible signs of a beating.

The evidence, Mayor Davis said, does not substantiate any wrongdoing on the part of the officers. However, the city is continuing with a full investigation of the alleged incident