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A 20-year veteran corrections officer with the Jefferson County Sheriffs Department was charged Thursday by state police with third-degree assault in connection with a fight early in the morning of Dec. 2 in the Dragon Lord Pub, Adams Center.
Mark H. Kellogg, 45, Adams, is due for arraignment Wednesday in town of Adams Court.
Jefferson County Sheriff John P. Burns confirmed Monday that Officer Kellogg and, in an unrelated investigation, patrol Deputy Adam B. Hallett are both facing ongoing personnel issues that are being handled internally. Neither man has been suspended, he said.
The sheriff said he is in consultation with the county attorneys office regarding Mr. Kelloggs matter. He is not yet suspended because he is not a danger to inmates and the issue does not involve the jail.
According to state police, Mr. Kellogg, his wife, Julie, and their son David were at the tavern that night, during which David Kellogg suffered face cuts. He chose not to press charges against anybody, police said.
Mark Kellogg is alleged to have punched a bartender, Tenesha Hart, 28, Adams, in the face while they were on the front porch of the tavern, said Trooper Jeffrey G. Stevenson. She subsequently went on her own to Samaritan Medical Center for treatment, he said.
Troopers received the fight call at 1:32 that Sunday morning, and when we got there, a lot of people had scattered, Mr. Stevenson said. He was unable, therefore, to say how many people were involved in fighting, although statements were taken from several people.
There were lots of people there, he said. It was a busier night than normal.
No other arrests are anticipated, he said.
We only have the one complainant, Ms. Hart, he said, and there are no allegations that anyone besides Mr. Kellogg hit her.
Deputy Halletts situation is unrelated to the Kellogg incident, Sheriff Burns said, declining to elaborate. He would not confirm or deny a sources allegation that Deputy Hallett was involved in a highway issue after he went off duty on the afternoon of Dec. 1.
Deputy Hallett remains on patrol duty, the sheriff said. He has been a deputy sheriff since early 2004.