MUNCIE, Ind. — A correctional officer at the Delaware County jail has been fired over allegations he discharged a PepperBall launcher into a cellblock, striking a prisoner with a projectile.

In a Wednesday release, Jeff Stanley, chief deputy of the Delaware County Sheriff's Department, said the incident took place at 11:55 p.m. on March 31.

Stanley said the officer "discharged a PepperBall launcher with inert powder from the jail's control room into one of the cellblocks.

"One inmate was struck in the back by one of the projectiles which resulted in minor bruising but didn't require medical attention."

Friends of inmate Mickey Reese Joyce Jr. — a 32-year-old Muncie man awaiting trial on meth-dealing charges — this week told The Star Press that he had been struck in the back with a projectile fired from the device, which they believed was a paintball gun.

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An internal review of the incident determined the correctional officer "acted in violation of several of the jail's policies, including the jail's use-of-force policy."

Indiana State Police have been asked to conduct an "independent criminal investigation." The fired officer's name was not released.

"The Delaware County Sheriff's Office in no way condones unlawful or punitive uses of force by deputies or correctional staff," the release said.

Last week, another inmate, Christopher Brett Taylor, filed a Delaware Circuit Court 2 lawsuit against the jail and a correctional officer.

Taylor, 31, said he was handcuffed and being removed from his cell by the officer when he was injured on March 21. He said the officer "slammed" him against a wall and onto the floor several times, "busting my face open, causing me great pain."