Former Hillsdale sergeant accused of assaulting inmate bound over for trial

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A former sergeant with the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Department has been bound over for trial on multiple felony charges for allegedly assaulting an inmate.

The Michigan Attorney General’s Office announced this week that 43-year-old Ronald Leggitt, of Marshall, has waived his preliminary examination and will head to trial in the 1st Judicial Circuit Court in Hillsdale County.

Leggitt faces seven felony charges, including six counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of misconduct in office.

The charges stem from an incident that allegedly took place on Dec. 16, 2021, at the Hillsdale County jail where Leggitt was serving as a supervisor.

According to the AG’s Office, a woman was arrested, had resisted officers during the booking process, and continued to “exhibit resistant and disruptive behavior.” However, prosecutors say Leggitt took measures too far.

Over the course of 80 minutes, Leggitt allegedly sprayed the inmate six times with pepper spray, several times just inches away from the woman’s face.

Prosecutors say during five of the six alleged assaults, the inmate was secured in a restraint chair, including cuffs on her ankles and wrists and a chest restraint.

“Law enforcement officers have an obligation to protect the physical safety of those within their custody,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in March when the charges were first announced. “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.”

Each assault charge carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison. The misconduct in office charge is a five-year felony.

A trial date has yet to be set.

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