BUFFALO, N.Y. — A 37-year-old inmate is facing felony charges after attacking a jail deputy during a lunch delivery, according to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident happened around 11 a.m. on July 6 when an Erie County Holding Center inmate struck a deputy with a closed-fist punch without warning as the deputy was delivering a lunch tray, the sheriff’s office said. The deputy fell to the ground, where the woman continued the assault, throwing more punches and repeatedly stomping and kicking the deputy in the head and other areas.
Additional Jail Management Division personnel responded quickly and were able to intervene, pulling the inmate away from the deputy. The inmate was then taken to a medical unit, where she attempted to spit at staff, the sheriff’s office said.
The injured deputy was transported to Erie County Medical Center for treatment of a head injury and pain in her hip and knee. She has since been released.
The inmate was charged with second-degree assault, a Class D felony, and second-degree obstructing governmental administration.
Authorities say the violence continued the following day. On July 7, the inmate allegedly tried to strike another deputy who was serving her lunch. This time, the deputy was able to avoid injury and restrain the woman.
Sheriff John C. Garcia expressed concern for the safety of his staff following the incident.
“First and foremost, my thoughts are with the deputy who was assaulted by this incarcerated individual,” Garcia said. “This was nothing short of a sickening, unprovoked assault. These are the conditions the brave men and women of the Jail Management Division work in. They have my respect, appreciation and admiration.
Garcia also called on state lawmakers to take action to protect correctional staff.
“Unfortunately, the New York State Correction Law ties our hands. There is very little we can do when an incarcerated individual acts in this manner. There is simply not much deterrent to this behavior. I ask our state representatives to take action to protect our jail deputies and correction officers,” he said.
The incident remains under investigation.
