Woman Bites Officer’s Hand After Repeated Outbursts in Missoula Court

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 4, 2024, a Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was assigned to investigate a reported assault of a Special Security Officer (SSO) that had occurred at the Missoula County Courthouse the day before at approximately 2:40 PM following a court hearing. The primary suspect was a current inmate at the Missoula County Detention Facility, 24-year-old Saicy Jarvis. 

On September 3, 2024, Jarvis was transported by a Missoula County Sheriff’s Detention Officer (DO) to Missoula County Courtroom #5 for a scheduled appearance before District Court Judge Leslie Halligan. Throughout the hearing, Jarvis was loudly interrupting testimony several times with profanity and expletives and her demeanor grew increasingly violent as the hearing went on. Judge Halligan ordered Jarvis on several occasions to remain quiet while witnesses were testifying, but throughout the entirety of the hearing, Jarvis continued to disobey court orders and routinely had loud and disruptive outbursts. 

After nearly half an hour of Jarvis’s expletive-laced rants, the hearing was concluded and the DO ordered Jarvis to get up so they could return to the Detention Facility. Jarvis slumped down in her chair several times and stated that she was not going back to jail.  

Jarvis Continued to Cause Issues in the Courtroom

The DO grabbed Jarvis’s arm and attempted to assist her to her feet. Jarvis resisted all attempts, pulled away, and struck the DO’s hands away as he attempted to gain control. Jarvis then stepped towards the middle of the courtroom, shouting arguments towards Judge Halligan.  

The DO grabbed Jarvis’s belly chain and guided her to the door. The Missoula County SSO joined the courtroom during the commotion and assisted the DO’s attempt to remove Jarvis from the Courtroom. The SSO placed Jarvis in a controlled joint-lock and escorted her through the back hallway of the courtroom and towards the elevator.  

Jarvis continued to resist by leaning back and twisting her body, requiring officers to force her out of the courtroom and down the hall. According to court documents, Jarvis made several statements that she would kill the officers, find or hire someone to kill them, and other threats as they continued to escort her to the elevator.  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Jarvis Bites the Officer

As the officers exited the hallway into the main atrium, Jarvis suddenly turned and bit the SSO in the hand. Jarvis was taken to the ground as the SSO commanded her to stop biting him. Once Jarvis was positively controlled, she was escorted to the elevator where she was met by several other bailiffs on the main floor. Jarvis was successfully detained in the back of a patrol vehicle and transported back to the Missoula County Detention Facility. 

The SSO’s injuries were consistent with a human bite on the left hand that broke the skin and was bleeding. In addition, a scratch was located on the SSO's right forearm. The SSO sought medical attention for his injuries. 

Jarvis is currently being charged with felony assault on a peace officer. Her bond was set at $25,000. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.