By Greg Sowinski
The Lima News
VAN WERT, Ohio — A 33-year-old former mixed martial arts heavyweight fighter was sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison Friday for attacking a guard in the county jail.
Robert Galloway, of Van Wert, was sentenced on the charges of felonious assault, possession of heroin, harassment by bodily substance and assault. He was given credit for 59 days served.
Galloway was in the jail when he began acting up on Jan. 11 around 4 p.m. Several correctional officers tried to calm him down, but he remained upset. He threatened one officer, according to records.
A short time later, Galloway charged an officer, put him in a choke hold until he was unconscious then punched him in the face. The officer, Ryan Shinabery, 31, was injured and taken to the hospital to be treated, according to sheriff records.
Deputies were called to the jail, and correctional officers restrained Galloway with the use of pepper spay.
After Galloway calmed down, he was allowed to wash the pepper spray out of his eyes. While doing that he stated “several times that he wanted to eat a human heart,” according to reports on the incident.
Galloway then threw a handful of toilet water with urine in it at another officer’s face, according to records.
Officers restrained Galloway and put him in a restraint chair. They had to put a hood over his head to stop him from spitting on officers, according to records.
During the investigation, it was discovered Galloway was positive for Hepatitis C. Investigators also contacted the Ohio Athletic Commission and confirmed Galloway was a mixed martial arts fighter in the heavyweight division but last fought in 2009 due to a suspension. Galloway is 6 foot 1 and weighs 240 pounds.
A video on www.mma-core.com showed Galloway fighting for the ICF heavyweight championship belt.
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©2017 The Lima News (Lima, Ohio)