Woman arrested on felony assault warrant for allegedly spitting in deputy’s eyes, face

A local woman was arrested Thursday on a felony assault warrant for allegedly spitting in the eyes and face of a Garland County sheriff’s deputy at the detention center last month.

Ruth Crane, 40, who lists a Prospect Avenue address, was taken into custody shortly before 2:30 p.m. Thursday on the warrant for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, punishable by up to six years in prison.

Crane, who lists no prior felony history, was later released on a

$3,500 bond and is set to appear Jan. 23 in Garland County

District Court.

According to the probable cause affidavit, on Nov. 6, shortly before 11 p.m., sheriff’s Deputy Jordan Bailey was working her assigned post in the booking area of the Garland County Detention Center when she had to go into the sally port to assist Hot Springs police officers with removing an arrestee, identified as Crane, out of their patrol vehicle.

Crane had reportedly been arrested for disorderly conduct and refusal to submit to arrest about 20 minutes earlier.

As Bailey leaned over into the vehicle, attempting to unbuckle Crane’s seat belt, Crane allegedly started to yell obscenities at Bailey and then spat in the deputy’s face and eyes.

A spit hood was then placed on Crane’s head to prevent her from spitting at other officers.

Bailey was checked by medical staff on site and given saline water to “clean up her contacts and flush her eyes.” She was cleared to return to work afterward.

Crane was later released and a warrant on the assault charge was issued on Nov. 8.