Montrose Sheriff's Detention Deputy Charged with Harassment After Striking Inmate

Internal investigation states that the situation was avoidable and the inmate was no threat to former Deputy Jay Rigdon

Former Montrose County Sheriff’s Detention Deputy Jay Rigdon, 66, was charged with harassment through striking, kicking or shoving last month — a misdemeanor — after an internal investigation found that he had struck an inmate in the face with his radio handset in August. The inmate had thrown a sandwich at him.

An internal Use of Force Review Board found that the “incident was avoidable” and striking the inmate “met the elements of a criminal act.” The internal affairs investigation stated that the inmate posed Rigdon no threat as they begin to back away from him immediately after throwing the sandwich.

Video from July 2, according to the internal affairs report, shows that Rigdon opened the cell to hand them a bagged lunch with a sandwich which the inmate then threw at Rigdon. Rigdon then entered the cell, brought the inmate to the back and “stated something to the effect of ‘You fucking throw food at me bitch, and you're gonna be throttled,’” according to the report.

Rigdon then put the inmate in several “control holds” and then “said something to the effect of, ‘"If you fucking do this again, man, you'll have a problem you've never seen,’” before then striking the inmate in the face with his radio handset.

While being interviewed for this investigation, Rigdon said he did not remember hitting the inmate, but he entered the cell because he was angry. He admitted that the inmate posed no threat and that he was aware at the time of a previous directive to serve lunch to this particular inmate through the bars and not by entering.

Rigdon was terminated for cause on Oct. 6. His arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 24 at Montrose County Court.