Jail guard charged with hitting, stomping inmate
UNIONTOWN (AP) – A former Western Pennsylvania jail guard is accused of punching and stomping an uncooperative inmate while removing him from his cell.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports 39-year-old Robert Michael Jr. was charged Monday with official oppression, simple assault and reckless endangerment.
Investigators say a 21-year-old man was jailed at the Fayette County Prison in March on assault charges. Authorities say Michael assaulted the man as he removed him from his cell. Authorities say Michael punched the man in the stomach and stomped him after he had been handcuffed, shackled and Maced.
Michael was fired in May.
He has been released on $25,000 unsecured bond. He’s due back in court on Nov. 18 for a preliminary hearing.
It’s unclear if he has an attorney who could comment on the charges.