Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – A man faces a string of new felony charges after medical staff reported a series of violent incidents between two Jonesboro hospitals in a span of almost two weeks.

On Aug. 2, Craighead County deputies were dispatched to the St. Bernards Emergency Department for an inmate, 28-year-old John Thomas Keiffer, of Alisha, AR, who was spitting on and threatening healthcare staff.

Deputies met with a doctor, who explained Keiffer had been advised he could no longer have food or water because he was scheduled for a medical procedure later that morning.

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According to the probable cause affidavit, Keiffer initially remained calm but continued asking for water. However, each time he was denied, he became increasingly agitated toward the staff and a jailer at the scene. After being denied several more times, Keiffer began yelling throughout the department that he wanted to be released and continued escalating his behavior.

Jonesboro Police Department Officer Mehki Williams and additional healthcare staff responded to Keiffer’s room and decided to move him to a private room to prevent further disruption. While staff attempted to move him, he began spitting on the doctor, nurses, and the jailer, the affidavit said.

Because of his actions, staff attempted to place a spit hood on Kieffer to prevent him from spitting on anyone else. While doing so, the affidavit said Keiffer attempted to bite staff members and said that when he got out of the hospital, he was going to come back and “shoot up the whole hospital.” The doctor added that Keiffer repeatedly made threats about killing everyone and claimed, “he did not want to live like this anymore.”

While talking to the doctor, deputies asked whether she believed Keiffer understood his actions and the statements he was making or if he was mentally incapable of understanding his conduct at the time. The doctor said she believed Keiffer knew what he was saying and doing.

Deputies had Williams escort them to Keiffer’s room where they met the jailer. The affidavit said his statement was consistent with the accounts provided by the staff.

Keiffer appeared before Judge Ralph Wilson on Aug. 5, who found probable cause to charge Keiffer with the following offenses:

  • First-degree terroristic threatening/threatens property damage (Class D felony)
  • Aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer/correctional facility employee (Class D felony)
  • Aggravated assault upon a healthcare worker

The Craighead County inmate list shows Keiffer has been in the detention center since July 31. He was arrested for another incident that occurred July 24 that involved healthcare staff.

A second probable cause affidavit said a doctor treating Keiffer at NEA Baptist was discussing treatment with him. Keiffer then became upset, sat up, and spat in the doctor’s face, with the saliva landing in the doctor’s mouth. A patient sitter was present and witnessed the incident.

For this case, Keiffer faces charges of aggravated assault upon a healthcare worker (Class D felony) and disorderly conduct (Class C misdemeanor).

In both cases, Wilson ordered Keiffer to have no contact with the victims and was given a $25,000 cash/surety bond.

He was also ordered to wear a GPS ankle monitor due to having multiple prior offenses involving assaults and threats against healthcare workers in multiple states, including New York and Florida.

Keiffer is scheduled to appear for the July case on Aug. 21, while he is scheduled to appear for the August case on Sept. 30.

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