EVERETT — Prosecutors have charged a Snohomish County corrections sergeant with misdemeanor assault after he allegedly pulled a co-worker’s hair at the jail.
Sgt. Jerry Dixon was charged with one count of fourth-degree assault after the Sept. 19 incident, according to court papers. Fourth-degree assault is a gross misdemeanor under state law.
Dixon, 44, was placed on administrative leave after the allegations surfaced, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Shari Ireton said.
With the criminal investigation completed, the sheriff’s office is moving forward with an internal investigation, Ireton said. Any disciplinary action would be based on the results of the investigation and sheriff’s office policies, Ireton said.
Court papers indicate the incident that led to the charge took place as an officer was ending her graveyard shift at the jail. She walked into an elevator where she was met by Dixon.
Dixon allegedly told the officer she would have to fix her hair differently when she changed shifts and would be reporting to him.
That’s when he allegedly grabbed the top her head, holding onto her hair and jerking her head to the side, court papers said.
While there were several witnesses to the discussion about her hair, no one actually saw the hair pulling, court papers said.
However, there is video of the incident in which the sergeant could be seen “shadowboxing” by throwing punches toward but not making contact with the officer’s face.
Court papers indicate that Dixon is nearly a foot taller and weighs more than twice as much as the female officer.
“In the video, it is apparent that (the officer) is disoriented by the assault,” a sheriff’s office detective wrote. “She was supposed to get off the elevator at the first stop and she appears to not be sure where she is supposed to be.”
She stayed in the elevator with a co-worker. The woman later said that a considerable amount of her hair had been pulled out.
In an interview with another sergeant, the officer said Dixon had a pattern of being physical towards her at the jail, punching her in the arm, pushing her and standing in her way when she would attempt to walk past him.
She described an incident in July when she said she reminded him that there were cameras in the elevator. He allegedly remarked “… I own this place” and continued to push her into the wall of the elevator, according to court records.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com
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