Deputy resigns over pepper spray incident

UNION, Mo. -- An eastern Missouri deputy has resigned after allegedly putting pepper spray on pizza before giving it to inmates.

The Washington Missourian reported the deputy met with Franklin County Sheriff Gary Toelke on Wednesday afternoon and submitted his resignation. A disciplinary hearing had been scheduled for Thursday.

The deputy's name has not been released. He has not been charged with a crime.

The incident happened Aug. 19 when the deputy allegedly put pepper spray on the pizza and offered it to an inmate, who shared it with three other inmates. All four suffered what Toelke described as stomach and mouth "discomfort." One was treated at a hospital and later returned to jail.

Pepper spray is used by police to subdue combative suspects.

------

Information from: Washington Missourian, http://www.emissourian.com