Couple jailed for alleged assault at Oran library

A Cape Girardeau man and a Sikeston, Missouri, woman are in custody for charges related to an assault that occurred in Oran, Missouri.

Thomas J. Sheppard III, 22, has been charged with second-degree assault and a misdemeanor of property damage. Sarah B. Cook, 26, of Sikeston, has been charged with second-degree assault.

About 11:50 p.m. Friday, Scott County Sheriff's Department senior deputy Matt Scroggins responded to the Oran library for an assault investigation, a news release said.

According to the victim, a verbal altercation occurred between him and Cook concerning posts on Facebook.

Sheppard allegedly attacked the victim by punching him several times and kicking him. The victim reportedly said Sheppard pushed him against a pillar on the library's porch, separating it from the building. Sheppard reportedly got on top of the victim while he was the ground and struck him several more times, and Cook stomped on his head several times. Scroggins saw bruising across the entire right side of the victim's forehead and red marks on his nose, according to the news release.

The suspects were found in a vehicle in Sikeston. Bond for Sheppard was set by the court at $2,500 cash only, and Cook's bond was set for $5,000 cash or surety.