Jefferson County sheriffâs deputy charged with assault in on-duty shooting
A Jefferson County sheriff’s deputy has been indicted in an on-duty shooting that happened earlier this year.
Thomas Andrew Ernest Cleveland, 28, was booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 4:28 p.m. Thursday and released at 4:46 p.m. after posting $30,000 bond.
His arrest followed a grand jury indictment issued this week.
The shooting happened about 3:18 a.m. on April 20.
Few details have been released but there were two scenes linked to the incident – one on Interstate 59/20 near Arkadelphia Road and another at the Pilot on Arkadelphia Road.
The victim’s injuries were not life-threatening.
The shooting was investigated by the State Bureau of Investigation.
Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr said the case was presented to a grand jury this week and the grand jury returned the indictment against Cleveland.
“The grand jury heard testimony and considered all the evidence and found probable cause that Thomas Cleveland did commit the crime of assault in the first-degree,’’ Carr said in a statement.
The district attorney said no additional information will be released.
Sheriff’s Lt. Joni Money said the deputy has been reassigned to administrative duty pending the outcome of the case.