BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

PAINTSVILLE — A correctional officer at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center and his brother-in-law were arrested after a fight on jail property last week, according to court and jail records.

The altercation occurred Feb. 20 when Joseph Harris, 39, of Calf Creek Road in Inez, arrived at the Paintsville facility to pick up his brother-in-law, Sebastian Stewart, 27, who was employed there as a correctional officer.

It remains unclear what prompted the dispute, but surveillance video captured the confrontation, during which Stewart allegedly threw the first punch.

Police arrested Harris at the scene. An officer with the Paintsville Police Department charged him with alcohol intoxication and fourth-degree assault (no visible injury). According to court records, Harris told officers he had consumed more than five shots of whiskey.

Three days later, following an internal investigation conducted by the detention center’s intelligence officer, jail administrators sought a complaint warrant for Stewart. He was charged in Johnson County District Court with one count of fourth-degree assault (no visible injury).

Jail officials said Stewart has been suspended pending the outcome of a full investigation.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.