JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Two Duval County corrections officers were arrested after authorities said they assaulted inmates at the jail.

The alleged incidents occurred on separate occasions, but are similar in that both officers have been accused of abusing their authority by using excessive force.

The officer most recently charged is 39-year-old Lonnie Richard Snodgrass, who is accused of battery against a pregnant woman, which is a second-degree felony.

Investigators said the incident took place in early August. That's when, according to a police report, an inmate told police Snodgrass "came from inside the control room ... grabbed her by the shirt ... pushed her with force onto the elevator causing her to strike her stomach against the back rail."

The report states witnesses said they heard a loud "thud."

"The officer that was inside the glassed-in room left the room, went outside, placed hands on this female, and then physically threw her in the elevator," said Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Undersheriff Frank Mackesy.

The second incident also took place in August.

Officer Felipe Garcia is accused of using a Taser gun to threaten an inmate before hitting him. A police report states a lieutenant walked by a holding cell and saw as "Officer Garcia placed his issued Taser under the chin of (the inmate) before yelling, ''I will taze you (expletive).'"

The officer then slapped the inmate across the face, according to the police report.

"This is the kind of the part of the job that we don't like but we're committed to it because when your loved one gets put in that jail or is arrested by officer on the street, you need to have confidence that they're going to be treated in a professional manner," Mackesy said.

Both officers are also accused of lying on forms they filled out after the incidents and both face an additional charge of official misconduct by a public servant.

The undersheriff told Channel 4 that JSO wants it's corrections officers to protect themselves but within the law.

"It's not whether or not you use force, because we're in the use of force business, we have to do it, it's how you use that force. We will stand behind our employees 100 percent if they do it right and it's reasonable," Mackasey said.

He said both officers voluntarily asked to be put on a leave of absence without pay. If the officer acquitted, they could return to their jobs.