Fayette County Prison guard suspended, pending outcome of probe
A lieutenant at the Fayette County Prison has been suspended indefinitely without pay, pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for Monday into criminal charges. Warden Larry Medlock said Lt. Mark Schiffbauer has been suspended pending the hearing.
Medlock confirmed the suspension Tuesday, following a special prison board meeting in which board members met for almost an hour and half privately in an executive session, but took no action in public.
Sheriff Gary Brownfield, board chairman, said any action from the panel would come at its next regular meeting, scheduled for 9 a.m. March 26.
Brownfield declined to comment on what the board discussed in the executive session or about any guards.
Medlock said prison officials are investigating two other separate incidents involving prison guards, but declined to provide any further details.
Schiffbauer was charged with simple assault, two counts of terroristic threats, carrying a firearm without a license, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct and harassment.
He was released on $25,000 unsecured bond pending the March 17 hearing before District Justice Randy Abraham.
State police filed the charges in connection with a Feb. 7 incident involving an alleged victim Mark Foster Sr. of Smithfield.
Also charged in the incident were Tracy Schiffbauer and Parrish George.
Tracy Schiffbauer was charged with terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment, and George was charged with summary harassment.