On Monday, January 13, 2025, at approximately 1:30 p.m., a male Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Jail deputy was briefly abducted and assaulted by an inmate at the jail. The jail’s Extraction Unit made entry into the cell where the deputy was being held and were able to safely remove the deputy and restrain the inmate. The incident lasted less than 20 minutes. The deputy and the suspect/inmate were both taken to a local hospital as a precaution.
The suspect has been identified as: Reontay Harley, age, 33. Harley has been charged with Kidnapping 1st Degree with no bond; Assault 2nd Degree with a $15,000.00 bond; and Menacing with a $3,000.00 bond. Harley has been in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail since June 26, 2024, for other charges that include those involving acts of violence. The suspect is in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail.
Sheriff Mark Pettway stated, “We are pleased that our Extraction Unit acted quickly and that they safely removed our deputy. I’m also thankful that this incident ended with no one being injured.”
The case is still ongoing. If there is anyone who has information pertaining to the case, they are encouraged to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.