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Iowa CO assaulted by inmate

Justin Kestner escaped from a Health Services room and assaulted a CO with “a crude piece of metal”

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Justin Kestner

Photo/Iowa DOC

By Lee Hermiston
The Gazette

ANAMOSA, Iowa — An Anamosa State Penitentiary correctional officer was assaulted by an inmate Wednesday evening, officials say

According to the Iowa Department of Corrections, around 10:50 p.m. Wednesday, 26-year-old Justin Kestner got out of a Health Services side room and assaulted a correctional officer with “a crude piece of metal.”

Authorities said security and health service staff responded, restrained Kestner and placed him in segregation. The correctional officer was treated and released at the Jones County Regional Medical Center. Authorities said he suffered multiple contusions to his face.

The incident remains under investigation by the Anamosa State Penitentiary investigative staff. When the investigation is complete, it will be sent to the Jones County Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Kestner is serving a 35-year sentence for two counts of first-degree theft out of Woodbury County and habitual offender-property and operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent out of Lee County.