(LANSING) – Charges have been filed against a Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Sergeant for alleged incidents that happened in December 2021.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says seven felony charges have been filed against 43 year old Ronald Leggitt of Marshall for alleged assaults that happened to an inmate under his supervision at the Hillsdale County Jail.

In the early morning hours of December 16th, 2021, a woman was brought to the Hillsdale County jail, where Leggitt was supervising operations and staff. Staff at the jail were informed the woman had resisted officers during the arrest and during the booking process at the jail she continued to exhibit resistant and disruptive behavior.

It is alleged that over the course of 80 minutes Leggitt assaulted the inmate six times with mace, spraying the chemical irritant into her face from a distance of mere inches. During the assaults, the victim was secured in an emergency restraint chair; restrained in wrist and ankle cuffs as well as a chest restraint.

Leggitt is charged with one count of Misconduct in Office, which is a 5 year felony, and six counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, each count a 4 year felony.

Nessel says law enforcement officers have an obligation to protect the physical safety of those within their custody. She says when their conduct stoops to criminality, the allegations very seriously.

Leggitt is on unpaid administrative leave.