Former HSC deputy due back in court Aug. 9

A former Hot Spring County deputy who is facing charges after being arrested by the Saline County Sheriff’s Office in January, pertaining to an alleged incident with an inmate he and a fellow deputy were transporting, will be back in court in August, after a judge granted the prosecution’s request for a continuance at a court hearing on May 17.

Cpl. Robert Campbell was arrested and charged with third-degree battery after he and Lt. Darrell Pierce, who faces a charge of second-degree assault, had an altercation with a man they had been told by jail superiors to transport to another county for release.

About 11:40 a.m. on Jan. 25, 2023, deputies with the Saline County Sheriff’s Office responded to the address located at 17186 U.S. 70, in reference to a possible assault.

Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a victim who appeared to have redness and swelling to his facial area. The victim stated that he was dropped off at the location by two Hot Spring County deputies after leaving their detention facility, according to the release.

The victim advised the deputies removed him from the vehicle when they arrived at the above listed address. According to the victim he was then pushed to the ground, and when he got back up he was struck in the face by one deputy and the other deputy sprayed him with pepper spray. Once the victim was able to regain sight and stand up, the vehicle and deputies were gone, according to the release.

Pierce could not be reached for comment, but Campbell feels confident that after all the evidence

and testimony is heard, he will be exonerated of the charges. Both deputies previously asserted that they acted in self-defense when the victim refused to exit the vehicle as instructed and became combative with the officers.

The news release from Hot Spring County Sheriff’s Office states an internal investigation was launched immediately upon notification of the arrests. The ongoing investigation revealed that the two of the Hot Spring County detention center employees were the two people involved.

The victim was later transported by medical personnel for treatment at a local facility and then later released.

Pierce’s court date could not be confirmed in time for this publication, but Campbell’s new court date is set for Aug. 9 at 9 a.m.