Former Callaway County jailer faces assault charge

FULTON - A former jailer at the Callaway County Jail is facing a third-degree assault charge for using pepper spray on an inmate.

On June 28, a jury trial was set for J.D. Nodine of New Bloomfield, who pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor assault charge. Circuit Judge Gary Oxenhandler will preside over the trial, which is set for Sept. 7.

Nodine was charged with assault after it was reported that he unnecessarily sprayed a prisoner in the eyes. According to statements made to the Fulton Police Department by the inmate, he was sprayed in the eyes after he was brought to the jail on Oct. 26, 2010.

Police responded to assist the Callaway County Sheriff's Department with the incident at around 2:30 a.m. Oct. 27. The inmate alleges he was left in his cell for a few hours after being sprayed and not decontaminated until medics arrived on the scene.