PORT HADLOCK — A Jefferson County corrections officer, charged with hitting a subordinate while on duty, has been placed on unpaid leave pending a trial set for Sept. 19.
Sgt. Phillip Yeagley is charged with assault with intent to cause physical harm to corrections officer Christopher Przygocki, Jefferson County Superior Court documents say.
Prosecutor Julie Dalzell charged Yeagley with third-degree assault on June 21. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
According to Przygocki’s testimony, on several occasions starting in April he was struck on the left shoulder by Yeagley.
Yeagley’s attorney, Anthony Savage of Seattle, was unavailable for comment on Wednesday.
Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Brasfield said that the incident is uncommon and that he is taking the matter seriously.
“The alleged activities were unacceptable and injuries to the victim have been significant,” Brasfield said.
“We have conducted an internal investigation. However, it cannot be concluded while the criminal case is still on trial.”
Yeagley was initially placed on paid administrative leave in early June after Przygocki’s allegations came to light, and was then placed on unpaid suspension after Dalzell filed charges based on a Sheriff’s Office investigation.
