CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Former Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill reported to federal prison Monday afternoon after appearing to leave Atlanta decked out in vacation clothes from a private jet.
Channel 2 Action News spoke to someone at the jail, who confirmed the former sheriff reported to FCI Forrest City Lowe in Forest City, Arkansas sometime Monday afternoon.
FCI Forrest City Low is “a low-security facility with an adjacent minimum security satellite camp,” according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The prison’s website still lists Hill as not in custody.
Hill was sentenced to 18 months after he was found guilty of violating detainees’ rights.
On Monday, Hill posted a video of himself dressed in cargo shorts and a tiger vacation shirt boarding a private jet. It’s unclear if that is the plane he actually flew to Arkansas in.
A federal jury convicted Hill in October of violating the civil rights of six detainees at the Clayton County Jail. The government said Hill disregarded the detainees’ constitutional rights by putting them in restraint chairs for hours as punishment.
Hill’s attorney Drew Finley maintained that the former sheriff is innocent and filed an appeal in March after Hill was sentenced.
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Posted by Victor Hill on Monday, May 15, 2023
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Channel 2′s Tom Jones was in Clayton County, where people had mixed opinions on how Hill opted to travel. Some thought he had the option to get to prison any way he chooses. Others thought the optics didn’t look good and wondered who paid for it.
“To have it look like you’re going to Hawaii or Jamaica instead of going to federal pen, that was a narcissist move.” Clayton County resident Tim Jefferson said.
Hill and Jefferson have butted heads on many occasions over the years. Jefferson claims Hill had his SWAT team sit outside his house for a week and even falsely arrested him.
“To see him go away, I don’t have to look over my shoulder,” Jefferson said.
Jefferson said Hill posted the video for a reason.
“To send a message to the constituents that they haven’t done nothing,” Jefferson said. “‘I’m going on vacation. And I’ll be back.’”
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Other Clayton County residents weren’t happy to see Hill go to prison. Ibrahim Sesay said that Hill was a serious crimefighter and keep his community safe.
“Truly speaking, the man, he was a good man. He was one of the heroes in Clayton County,” Sesay said. “I wish I personally could pardon him.”
Earlier in May, Hill and his legal team filed a motion for him to stay out on bond while he appeals his case and move his self-surrender date to federal prison.
U.S. District Court Judge Eleanor Ross, who presided over Hill’s trial, denied the motion.
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