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Former Dallas County Deputy Sheriff Joshua Davidson was sentenced to 12 and a half years in prison Friday in the Southern District of Alabama for sexually assaulting a woman while on duty.  

According to court records, on Jan. 30, 2020, Davidson, 33, while on duty as a Dallas County deputy sheriff, placed the victim in custody and drove her down a dark road to a desolate location where he forced the victim performed oral sex on him against her will. The victim, who immediately reported the assault, said she feared that Davidson would shoot her if she did not cooperate.  

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said the sentence was a win for gaining justice for victims of sexual assault.

“Today’s sentence sends a clear message that officers who abuse their positions of power to sexually assault women in their custody will face significant prison time for their unlawful actions,” Clarke said. “The Justice Department will not tolerate sexual misconduct committed by law enforcement officers who were sworn to serve and protect their communities.” 

Sean P. Costello, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, said Alabama courts will continue to hold Dallas County law enforcement officers accountable to the people they serve.

“The citizens of Dallas County rightfully rely on their law enforcement officers to serve and protect them, not assault and abuse them,” Costello said. “Some criminals wear a badge, and we will continue to hold accountable those who violate the law and erode the trust of our community.” 

Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown with the agency’s Mobile Field Office supported Costello’s statement and confirmed the federal agency will also hold officers who misuse the public trust accountable for their actions.

“All law enforcement officers must adhere to the highest standard of professional conduct,” Brown said. “Whenever someone chooses to violate the civil rights of the people they are sworn to protect, they will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” 

The FBI Mobile Field Office investigated the case.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Arrington for the Southern District of Alabama and Trial Attorneys Maura White and MarLa Duncan of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.