JONESBORO, Ark. — A 28-year-old Alicia resident faces four felony charges and a misdemeanor after authorities said he spat on health care workers in separate incidents at two Jonesboro hospitals and threatened to “shoot up the whole hospital.”
John Thomas Keiffer is charged in separate cases stemming from incidents July 24 at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital and Aug. 2 at St. Bernards Medical Center, according to probable cause affidavits.
Craighead County deputies were called to the St. Bernards emergency department shortly before 2 a.m. Aug. 2 after receiving a report that Keiffer, described in the affidavit as an inmate, was spitting on and threatening hospital workers and a jailer.
A doctor told deputies Keiffer was scheduled for a medical procedure later that morning and could not have food or water in preparation. Keiffer initially remained calm but became increasingly agitated each time his requests for water were denied, the affidavit states.
Keiffer allegedly began yelling that he wanted to be released. Hospital staff and a Jonesboro police officer then attempted to move him to a more private room to prevent further disruption.
During the move, Keiffer intentionally spat on three medical workers and a Craighead County jailer, according to the affidavit. As staff attempted to place a spit hood on him, Keiffer allegedly tried to bite them and threatened to return after his release and “shoot up the whole hospital.”
The doctor also reported that Keiffer repeatedly threatened to kill everyone, according to the filing.
Keiffer faces three Class D felony charges in that case: first-degree terroristic threatening, aggravated assault on a correctional facility employee and aggravated assault upon a health care worker.
A separate affidavit alleges that Keiffer spat in a doctor’s face at NEA Baptist on July 24. The doctor was discussing treatment with Keiffer when he became upset, sat up and spat, according to the filing.
The doctor said Keiffer’s saliva landed on the doctor’s face and in the doctor’s mouth. A patient sitter reportedly witnessed the incident.
Keiffer faces Class D felony aggravated assault upon a health care worker and Class C misdemeanor disorderly conduct in that case. He appeared for his 8.1 hearing on Wednesday. Aug. 5, before Special Judge Ralph Wilson, who set Keiffer’s bond at $25,000 cash or surety. During that hearing, Keiffer stated that the Craighead County Jail was not ADA-compliant and he would be getting paid well after suing the jail. A mental evaluation was requested.
Court records list an Aug. 21 appearance in the St. Bernards case and a Sept. 30 appearance in the NEA Baptist case.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Punk bastard pussy