Yesterday, Ronald Leggitt, a former sergeant with the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Department, was sentenced in Jackson County's 4th Judicial Circuit Court. The Honorable John G. McBain Jr. delivered the sentence of two years' probation, with the first seven days to be served in jail. This sentencing follows Leggitt's guilty plea in November 2024 to charges of Misconduct in Office and Aggravated Assault for an incident involving an inmate at Hillsdale County Jail in December 2021.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the sentencing and highlighted that Leggitt has permanently relinquished his MCOLES certification, which is necessary for police officer employment in Michigan. "With this conviction, Mr. Leggitt has been stripped of his ability to serve as a police officer in Michigan, preventing him from harming others who would have been under his authority," said Attorney General Nessel when Leggitt entered his plea. She further emphasized her department's commitment to holding accountable those who misuse their positions.
The assault occurred on December 16th, 2021, when a woman was taken into custody at Hillsdale County Jail under Leggitt's supervision. It was reported that she resisted officers during her arrest and continued disruptive behavior at the jail. Over approximately 80 minutes, Leggitt used aerosol subject restraint—commonly known as mace or pepper spray—on the inmate six times while she was secured in an emergency restraint chair with wrist and ankle cuffs and a chest restraint.
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