Hot Spring County Deputies no longer employed after arrested for beating man

Update Jan 27, 2023

The Saline County Sheriff’s Office has released the detention center photos of the two Hot Spring County Deputies accused in a beating case. They are Lieutenant Darrell Pierce, age 67 (left), charged with Assault in the 2nd degree, and Corporal Robert Campbell, age 38 (right), charged with Battery in the 3rd degree.

Hot Spring County Sheriff s Scott Finkbeiner says two deputies went against training when they dropped a released inmate in an inappropriate area, pepper-sprayed him and left him alone without decontaminating him. The inmate was being released after a misdemeanor charge.

The two deputies were transport officers and were bringing the man to the Big Red Store on Highway 70 just inside Saline County – his county of residence. The deputies said that the man became violent after they took his handcuffs off. They stated that they used pepper spray in order to subdue the man.

Saline County Deputies found the man about 11:40 a.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 17186 Highway 70. The victim had a red swollen face, they transported him to the hospital where he was treated and released. The victim advised the deputies removed him from the vehicle when they arrived at the above address.

According to the victim, he was released and then pushed to the ground, and when he got back up, he was struck in the face by one deputy and the other deputy sprayed him with pepper spray. Once the victim was able to regain sight and stand up the vehicle and deputies were gone.

The deputies did not have body cams. Lt. Pierce, is said to have resigned, while Cpl. Campbell has been terminated. The HSCSO is still investigating.