Eugene police officer accused of assaulting suspect in jail

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - A veteran Eugene police officer has been accused of beating a suspect in the Lane County Jail last September.

The Register-Guard reports that (https://is.gd/wMFtnY ) prosecutors on Wednesday charged John Sharlow with misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree assault and official misconduct.

Sharlow is to be arraigned Thursday in Lane County Circuit Court. His attorney, Larry Matasar, declined comment Wednesday.

He is accused of beating 30-year-old Arik Bumpas of Eugene on Sept. 11.

Bumpas was initially charged with resisting arrest and attempting to assault the officer. But Lane County Chief Deputy District Attorney Patty Perlow says the case was dismissed in January because a criminal investigation into the officer’s actions had begun.

Linn County prosecutors are handling the officer’s case at the request of the Lane County District Attorney Alex Gardner.

Police spokesman Melinda McLaughlin says Sharlow was placed on administrative leave in March.

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Information from: The Register-Guard, https://www.registerguard.com