Steven Jordan, 20, was charged with a misdemeanor count of assault, according to Clark County Municipal Court documents filed on Thursday.
Jordan has been accused of assaulting an inmate on Aug. 5.
The inmate, who had been arrested the day before on an obstruction of official business charge, was receiving a medical injection from the jail nurse when he “became upset with our corrections officers.” The inmate was placed on his cell bench by Jordan and another corrections officer, curled up on his side, and was held down by the officers.
Jordan then allegedly punched the inmate “multiple times in his shoulder and back area with a closed fist,” according to a probable cause affidavit.
The officers then tried to shut the cell door but the inmate tried to get out.
“He tried to get out of the cell and push his way through the doorway,” Chief Deputy Mike Young, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, said.
Jordan then pushed both the inmate and the other corrections officer into the cell, which caused them both to fall into the wall and bench area. This caused the other corrections officer to hit her head.
“The corrections officers involved gave statements that CO Steven Jordan did punch [the inmate] with a closed fist multiple times when the inmate was compliant and he was not trying to cause physical harm to anyone,” court documents state.
Documents indicate Jordan was arrested, but he is not listed as an inmate in the Clark County Jail. His arraignment was scheduled for Thursday and court records show a not guilty plea was entered.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Jordan has since been placed on administrative leave. As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00 , the incident led to a standard use of force investigation.
Young said they had concerns about the initial reports found.
“Just the level of aggression used is what has been — what is under question,” Young said.
The sheriff’s office took a deeper look and gave their findings to prosecutors, leading to the assault charge.
News Center 7 obtained a copy of Jordan’s personnel file, which shows no disciplinary actions since he was hired in May 2023. But now, separate from his criminal charge, he’s also the focus of an internal investigation to determine if he’ll face any professional punishment.
Community members said they’re disheartened by the allegations.
“I’ve trusted you to do a certain job. If you can’t do it, or you’re proven guilty that you can’t do it, or you’ve assaulted someone, then you should be removed,” Paul McDermott, of Springfield, said.
As for the inmate who was hit, the sheriff’s office said he was “pink-slipped,” meaning he was an emergency admission to the hospital for a mental health assessment. News Center 7 reached out to see if he wanted to speak on the assault, but he declined an interview through his lawyer.
His lawyer didn’t want to speak on camera but told News Center 7′s John Bedell that he’s extremely concerned about the allegations and is looking forward to holding anybody responsible accountable.
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