Charges may follow jail worker 'threat'

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A Kent County jail employee was suspended without pay for what he said to commissioners at a budget meeting Thursday morning, and will likely face criminal charges.

Steve Black, who's worked as a custodian for 18 years at the Kent County Jail, fears he may not return to work following his remarks at a budget meeting Thursday night.

Speaking during the public portion of the meeting about county employees losing their jobs, Black said, "Columbine, Virginia Tech and Fort Hood. Think about those. Are we going to be next?"

The sheriff's department called his comments threatening. Friday afternoon, the sheriff's departments said they will seek a warrant against Black for "hindering and intimidation of a public officer," with the entire Kent County Commission being the officers.

The department said they will also look at his past behavior, though they wouldn't specify what that behavior is.

Black has been outspoken about the county's plan to use private companies to perform some of the jail's duties such as custodial work and cooking for inmates.

Although Black said he realizes what he said may have been taken the wrong way, he didn't mean it to be threatening.

After the Thursday meeting, he received a surprise visit from the Kent County chief deputy.

For more on this story and to hear from Black, watch the video, above.