Baltimore City corrections officer indicted over alleged March 2025 assault on juvenile detainee, prosecutors say
Indictment alleges assault and a false report at Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center
A Baltimore City corrections officer has been indicted on charges tied to an alleged assault of a juvenile detainee at the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, a secure facility on North Gay Street, authorities announced Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
The officer, Dewaun Gough, faces multiple counts, including second-degree assault, misconduct in office, and making a false entry in public records. The allegations stem from an incident dated March 15, 2025, involving a juvenile who was being held at the facility located at 300 N. Gay St.
Prosecutors allege the officer assaulted the youth and then willfully filed a false report about what happened. The indictment is not a conviction. Gough is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
What the charges mean and what comes next
Second-degree assault is a commonly charged offense in Maryland that can apply to a range of alleged conduct, from unwanted physical contact to more serious physical harm. Misconduct in office is generally used when prosecutors contend a public employee misused official authority. The false-entry allegation centers on claims that an official document did not accurately reflect events.
The maximum potential penalty described by prosecutors totals up to 13 years of incarceration across the charged counts, though any sentence—if there is a conviction—would depend on the outcome in court and judicial discretion.
Defendant: Dewaun Gough, Baltimore City corrections officer
Alleged incident date: March 15, 2025
Location: Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, 300 N. Gay St.
Charges: Second-degree assault, misconduct in office, false entry into public documents
Why the case is being closely watched
The case arrives amid heightened scrutiny nationwide over the treatment of people in custody and the accuracy of official reporting following uses of force. Juvenile facilities draw particular attention because detained youths are under state supervision and often have limited ability to document or publicly report alleged mistreatment.
In a statement released with the announcement of the indictment, the State’s Attorney’s Office characterized the allegations as a breach of trust involving a young person in custody and emphasized expectations of humane treatment within the juvenile system.
The indictment alleges an assault and an intentionally false report. The case will now proceed through the criminal court process, where the prosecution must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Broader accountability focus in Maryland custody settings
Separate cases in Maryland in recent years—spanning local, state, and federal courts—have highlighted how alleged abuse in custody settings can lead to criminal charges, including allegations involving falsified statements or attempts to obstruct investigations. Those prosecutions have underscored how documentation, surveillance, and staff reporting practices can become central evidence when allegations arise.
Further details about court dates and proceedings were not immediately available in the announcement. The matter remains pending.