In a recent courtroom development, Ronald Leggitt, a former sergeant with the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Department, has admitted guilt to charges involving the assault of a female inmate. According to the Michigan Department of Attorney General, the charges to which Leggitt pled guilty included one count of Misconduct in Office, which is a five-year felony, and one count of Aggravated Assault—a one-year misdemeanor. This plea deal has effectively removed Leggitt's MCOLES certification, which is necessary for police work.
The assault incident took place on December 16, 2021, when a woman held at the Hillsdale County Jail was sprayed with aerosol subject restraint by Leggitt multiple times within an 80-minute window, during which the department was informed of her previous resistance against arresting officers and her continued disruptive behavior upon arriving at the jail. "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," stated Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, whose department remains devoted to bringing to justice those who exploit their office. Leggitt’s sentencing is scheduled for January 29, 2025, in the 4th Judicial Circuit Court of Jackson County.
Hillsdale County Sheriff Scott Hodshire took the abuse seriously after Michigan State Police alerted him a few days later. This led to an internal review supported by jail surveillance footage. As a result, Leggitt was moved to desk duty while the Michigan Sheriff's Association MISSION Team conducted an independent investigation. Their findings were then sent to the Attorney General's Office.
