Lakeland, FL – Thursday — A corrections officer from Avon Park Correctional Institution was arrested early Thursday morning after a woman told deputies he hit her in the face during a heated argument at their shared Lakeland home.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded just before 1 a.m. to a domestic disturbance where the woman reported that 29-year-old Artavis Pierce struck her twice during an altercation. She was unclear whether Pierce used an open hand or a closed fist, but authorities documented visible injuries on her face.
Pierce, who works as a state corrections officer, was arrested without incident at the scene and booked on a battery domestic violence charge. His arrest brings increased scrutiny due to his role overseeing incarcerated individuals in a state-run facility.
Sheriff Grady Judd called the incident “especially disappointing” given Pierce’s public servant position and the trust placed in him as a corrections officer.
Pierce’s employment status with the Avon Park Correctional Institution is now under review. The Florida Department of Corrections has not yet commented on his current standing or any potential disciplinary actions.
He remains in custody pending a first appearance hearing. No further details about the victim or the nature of their relationship have been released.
Key Points
- An Avon Park corrections officer was arrested Thursday morning in Lakeland for alleged domestic violence.
- The victim said she was struck twice in the face during a dispute at their shared residence.
- Artavis Pierce was taken into custody without incident and is facing battery charges.
A prison guard trusted to protect inmates is now behind bars himself after a violent domestic incident.
