Cop Watch

Monday, October 10, 2005

Detention officer arrested after pointing gun at inmate

A former detention officer at the Dorchester County jail has been arrested on charges that he pointed a handgun at inmates working outside the jail last month.

Christopher Fralix, 28, resigned after an internal investigation into the Sept. 21 incident began last week.

The officer is accused of pointing a gun at trusty inmates - nonviolent offenders whose good behavior has made them eligible to leave the jail to maintain and clean the grounds, the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office said.

Fralix turned himself in Wednesday and was released on his own recognizance. Officials would not say why Fralix said he pointed the weapon.

Pointing a gun is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.