FRANKLIN COUNTY • A deputy accused of putting pepper spray on pizza he gave to inmates in the county jail has resigned, the sheriff's office said.

Four inmates claimed that the deputy, who was a corrections officer, gave them the pizza that came from an area restaurant last week after spraying it with the pepper spray. They complained of pain in their mouths and stomachs. One inmate with a health condition was taken to a hospital to be evaluated.

Pepper spray is essentially a stronger version of cayenne pepper and not the chemical Mace, but it is used to subdue combative people, said Sheriff Gary Toelke.

The deputy said the pizza became contaminated when he checked the pepper spray supply in a janitor's closet and the pizza was nearby. He said an inmate was able to sneak it away and share it with other inmates, Toelke said.

The deputy was suspended with pay but resigned Wednesday, the sheriff's office said. A disciplinary hearing had been slated for Thursday.

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