Sergeant faces 7 felony charges for allegedly assaulting inmate
HILLSDALE, Mich. (WOOD) — A sergeant with the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office has been charged with seven felonies for allegedly assaulting an inmate under his care at the Hillsdale County Jail.
The Office of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a news release Thursday detailing the charges against 43-year-old Ronald Leggitt, of Marshall.
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The charges stem from an incident on Dec. 16, 2021. A woman was taken into custody and brought to the jail where Leggitt was supervising operations and staff. The woman had reportedly resisted officers during her arrest and was also disruptive during the booking process.
During this time, Leggitt allegedly assaulted the inmate six times with pepper spray.
“It is alleged that over the course of 80 minutes, Leggitt assaulted the inmate with (an) aerosol subject restraint, commonly known as mace or pepper spray, spraying the chemical irritant into her face from a distance of mere inches,” the release stated. “During five of the six alleged assaults, the victim was secured in an emergency restraint chair, restrained in wrist and ankle cuffs as well as a chest restraint.”
According to court documents, Leggitt faces six counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, a felony charge with a maximum punishment of up to four years in prison, and one count of misconduct in office, a five-year felony.
Nessel believes Leggitt’s actions exceeded any protocol and undermined his oath as a law enforcement officer.
“Law enforcement officers have an obligation to protect the physical safety of those within their custody,” Nessel stated. “When their conduct stoops to criminality, we must take such allegations very seriously. My department prioritizes matters of public integrity and will continue to hold those who violate the rule of law accountable.”
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Leggitt has been placed on unpaid administrative leave, the AG’s Office said. Because of his position within the county, district and circuit court judges have recused themselves from the case. Instead, he will be tried in Lenawee County. He is scheduled to be formally arraigned Friday.
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