A letter to a detainee in the Livingston County Jail disgusted and concerned the County Sheriff last week.

Sheriff Steve Cox announced Monday they are treating the letter as an attempted assault on jail employees. It came from an inmate at the Chillicothe Correctional Center.

The author had believed the detainee in the county jail had a contagious and infectious personal hygiene problem and wanted the detainee to spread the disease.

While the Sheriff cannot confirm or deny if the jail detainee has a disease, they considered the potential actions a serious health and safety violation.

The author was convinced the actions would spread the disease to jail employees.   Those actions including asking the detainee to wipe their hands on their genitals and then shake the hands of the jail employees. Also, to wipe paper work on their body in the same manner and turn in the same paper work which is required from the detainees.

The author directed the detainee to do this as it would certainly spread the disease to employees of the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Steve Cox forwarded the information to the Chillicothe Correction Center and Missouri Board of Parole.  The information will also be shared with the U.S. Postal Service and the Livingston County Prosecution Attorney for possible charges.

The Sheriff also sent a letter to the inmate at the Correction Center sharing his thoughts on the plot.

“This is one of the most grotesque and disgusting things I have personally viewed in over 26 years of law enforcement service,” Sheriff Cox said.