Lincoln County Correctional Sergeant charged with abuse, battery of female inmate

Jason H. Meister, age 44, of Pearson [Langlade County], Wis., made an initial appearance in Lincoln County Court on Monday, Mar. 10, 2025, via video conference from the Oneida County Jail where he was in custody to face charges that he assaulted an inmate at the Lincoln County Jail while employed as a Correctional Sergeant there. Meister is charged with one count each of Abuse of Residents of Penal Facilities and Substantial Battery, both Class I Felonies. If convicted, Meister faces a maximum penalty of up to three years and six months imprisonment and/or up to a $10,000 fine for each count.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at the Lincoln County Jail in Merrill. According to the Criminal Complaint filed by the Lincoln County District Attorney’s office, Meister was involved in an altercation with a female inmate that resulted in the inmate requiring medical treatment at Aspirus Hospital Merrill. Medical records confirm “Victim sustained two broken ribs and a laceration to her right eyelid area that required 10 sutures.”
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was called in to lead an independent investigation into possible excessive use of force by Meister.
“Victim stated that she was not physically resistive, and while she was verbally aggressive and using profanities, she wasn’t physically resisting the requests of the Lincoln County Jail correctional staff,” the Complaint said. “Victim stated that she remembers having her head banged and felt extreme pressure on her head. Victim further stated that she was thrown onto a cell bunk and then dragged onto the ground, where Victim stated she was punched and kicked.”
The Complaint goes on to detail surveillance video of the incident that was reviewed by DCI. “In the video, a correctional officer, identified as Jason Meister, open [sic] the cell door to the cell that held Victim. Victim is observed standing at the cell door with her arms crossed. Meister entered the cell and as Meister enters the cell Victim steps away from the cell door. Meister is observed grabbing Victim by the hair or back of the head and slamming her head into the clear window of the cell. Meister is then observed throwing Victim down onto the jail bench/bed. Victim’s blood from her head can be observed on the wall as she was pulled from a standing position to the cell bench/bed. Meister then pulled Victim from the cell bench/bed to the cell floor. Meister deliver multiple punches and knee strikes to Victim’s body. Victim is not observed being actively resistive or fighting back.”
During the initial appearance, Lincoln County District Attorney Kristopher Ellis noted the disparity between the current law that charges an inmate who assaults another inmate with a Class H Felony while a correctional officer who assaults an inmate is charged with a Class I Felony, a lesser charge. He requested Meister be held on $5,000 cash bond and said he wished he could request a higher bond under the circumstances.
Meister, who appeared without legal counsel, argued that he has family in the area and, as such, would not be a flight risk.
Lincoln County Circuit Court Judge Robert Russell presided over the court appearance and set a $2,500 cash bond. In addition, he said Meister is to have no contact with the victim except for incidental contact in a confined setting, and Meister is prohibited from obtaining employment leading to his acting in a supervisory role.
Judge Russell said he would recuse himself from the case due to his working relationship with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. The court then adjourned Meister’s initial appearance to allow time for him to get an attorney and for an out-of-county judge to be assigned to the case. Once the new judge is assigned, the adjourned initial appearance will be scheduled.
Meister subsequently posted his bond Monday afternoon and was released from custody.
This case has not been concluded. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the defendant is presumed innocent of all charges.
A Mar. 10 press release from the DOJ DCI said, “As a result of an internal investigation, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has terminated Mr. Meister’s employment as a correctional sergeant with their agency.”
“The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is fully cooperating with the investigation,” the release said.