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No additional jail time for inmate who assaulted EMT, jumped out of ambulance

William Swagger, 25, pleaded guilty, was sentenced with credit for time served and will be on probation for three years

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William Swagger, 25, has been sentenced to 165 days with credit for time served and released from jail after pleading guilty to assaulting an EMT. He was ordered to serve three years on community control.

Photo/Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office

By Laura French

LISBON, Ohio — An inmate who assaulted an EMT and then jumped out of an ambulance in Ohio has pleaded guilty and was released from jail on time served.

William Swagger, 25, was being held at Columbiana County jail in October 2019 on drunk driving and other traffic charges when he jumped over a second-floor railing, sustaining injuries, according to The Review. While being transported to the hospital, he attacked an EMT, then jumped out of the moving ambulance as it slowed down to make a turn.

Swagger fled across the border to his home state of Pennsylvania but was captured the following day. Authorities said he is also believed to have faked a seizure a day before his fall in an attempt to escape the jail.

Swagger pleaded guilty to the assault charge last week and requested immediate sentencing, according to The Review. He was sentenced to 165 days and ordered to spend three years on community control. He was granted credit for time served and released following his sentencing.

The pleas court judge recommended Swagger write an apology letter to the EMT and give it to his probation order to be forwarded.