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SHERIFF RESCINDS TERMINATION PROCEEDINGS PENDING FULL ADMINISTRATIVE OR CRIMINAL REVIEW

03/10/2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT

Major Lafayette Woods, Jr.

Operation Commander/Public Information Officer

870.541.5351-OFFICE/870.329.5652-CELL

Email: lafayette.woods@jeffcoso.org

SHERIFF RESCINDS TERMINATION PROCEEDINGS PENDING FULL ADMINISTRATIVE OR CRIMINAL REVIEW: Jefferson County, Arkansas – March 10, 2016 – On Saturday, March 5, 2016, two (2) Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Deputy Jailers, 18-year old James Ferguson of White Hall, AR and 25-year-old Lafarius Hoskins of Conway, AR were arrested on felony probable cause for 3rd degree sexual assault following allegations made against the two for an incident that involved the alleged sexual assault of an unnamed female detainee on or about March 3, 2016.

On Monday, March 7, 2016, Ferguson and Hoskins both appeared separately before the Honorable John Kearney, Jefferson County Division 2 District Court Judge for an initial appearance and probable cause hearing. Ferguson and Hoskins were both released on $50,000.00 secure bonds and ordered to return to court on April 25, 2016.

During a preliminary review of the administrative investigation, which remains on-going and separate from the criminal investigation, a number of policy and/or procedures pursuant to the JCSO Policy, Standard of Conduct had been readily identified.

“In the spirit of due process and in consideration for the consistency of how we handle allegations of misconduct, violation(s) of policy and procedures and/or progressive disciplinary actions, Ferguson and Hoskins will remain on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the administrative and/or criminal investigation to allow for a full review of any/all evidence discovered during the course of both the administrative and/or criminal investigation."

Once a disciplinary action has been taken against an employee, he or she has the right to an appeal. Pursuant to the Disciplinary Appeal Process Section(s) 3.3 of the JCSO Policy & Procedures Manual, should you that employee feel the decision was not based on just cause or feel that he or she have been disciplined unfairly or arbitrarily, they have the right to appeal against this decision through the grievance procedure. If he or she wishes to exercise that right of appeal then he or she should do so by writing to the Sheriff within 10 working days of the date of this notice. The appeal must include the following:

 

  • Set forth in plain language the basis for the appeal
  • Appeal must be filed within 10 days of the disciplinary notice
  • Request a hearing before the sheriff if desired
  • Give notice to the Sheriff if he or she plan to be represented by legal counsel at the scheduled appeals hearing (Note: No other parties other than your legal counsel and/or witness(s) may be present with you).