Battery charge against Muscogee County deputy tossed by grand jury

Muscogee County Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Jones, charged with aggravated battery in April, was cleared of the charge on Monday by a grand jury.

Jones had been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the criminal case, but returned to work Tuesday morning, the sheriff’s office said.

Jones’ attorney, John Martin, said he was glad the process was over.

“But on the other hand, we’re disappointed it took this long,” Martin said.

He added that Jones won’t receive pay for the six months he was suspended.

The charge stemmed from a warrant taken out on Jones in Chattahoochee County, though it didn’t come from a police complaint, the defense attorney said. Jones was having a disagreement with a woman, and she tried to grab his baton and service weapon, Martin said.

In the process, she hurt her shoulder, he added.

According to the indictment, Jones fractured the woman’s right shoulder bone. The grand jury chose to no bill the indictment, meaning the criminal prosecution stops.

Jones is a 23-year veteran of the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office.

“He served with distinction and the grand jury found there was no merit to it,” Martin said of the allegations.

As a deputy, Jones was assigned to courtroom detail, Sheriff John Darr said. His duties included security and escorting prisoners.