[CPRB] NG today - jail officer charged

[Ricky Baldwin]

Jail officer charged with using Taser on inmate

By MARY SCHENK
© 2005 THE NEWS-GAZETTE
Published Online November 16, 2005
   URBANA – A 13-year employee of the Champaign County
Sheriff's Office has been charged with aggravated
battery for inappropriately using a Taser device on an
inmate.
   Sgt. William Alan Myers, 36, of Pesotum, a
correctional officer, was arrested Tuesday on a
warrant that also charged him with obstructing justice
for lying to his supervisor about the circumstances of
the incident, which happened at the downtown jail
about 8 p.m. Monday, Sheriff Dan Walsh said.
   Walsh said in a release that the aggravated battery
charge alleges that Myers caused bodily harm to Ray
Hsieh, 31, in that he "used a Taser device on the
inmate outside the course of his official duties."
   The obstructing justice charge alleges that he lied
to Capt. James Young, supervisor of the jail, about
the circumstances under which he used the Taser on
Hsieh.
   Hsieh has been in custody since Oct. 3 on charges
of unlawful possession of stolen property and driving
under suspension. He's being held in lieu of $16,000
bond.
   Walsh applauded the "professionalism and integrity"
of other correctional officers who brought the matter
to Young's attention.
   "They have been instrumental in the investigation,"
Walsh said.
   Following his arrest Tuesday, Myers was taken to
the Piatt County Jail in Monticello so as not to be in
the same area as inmates he previously guarded. He
posted $1,000 cash and was released Tuesday night.
   He was expected to make his first court appearance
in Champaign County this afternoon.
   Walsh said Myers has been suspended.


		
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