BROOKVILLE BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) — An inmate at the Jefferson County Jail is facing a new charge after allegedly punching a corrections officer at the jail.
Court documents indicate the Punxsutawney-based State Police filed the following criminal charge against 28-year-old Eric Dewayne Bailes, of Brookville, on September 18:
– Aggravated Assault, Felony 2
The charge stems from an incident that occurred at the Jefferson County Jail in June.
According to a criminal complaint, around 5:35 p.m. on June 7, Trooper Mosier, of the Punxsutawney-based State Police, was dispatched to the Jefferson County Jail in Pine Creek Township.
At the jail, Trooper Mosier spoke with the victim, a known corrections officer at the jail.
According to the complaint, the victim reported that he heard yelling in the Lima block and found inmate Eric Bailes standing on a table. The victim reported Bailes jumped off the table in what appeared to be the direction of other inmates, so the victim entered the block and began to question Bailes.
The victim reported that Bailes then ran to him and punched him in the chest with a closed fist, according to the complaint.
The victim kept his right arm up and was able to block Bailes’ alleged additional attempts to punch him. Two other correction officers then grabbed Bailes, as Bailes allegedly continued to swing and kick at the victim. Bailes was then restrained and escorted out of the block.
Trooper Mosier then spoke to Bailes regarding the incident.
According to the complaint, Bailes reported that he was getting “picked on” by the other inmates who were allegedly “making fun of his accent” and him for “not being as tough as them.” He reported that when the victim entered the block, he thought the victim was going to grab him, so he reached out and touched the victim’s shoulder. Bailes stated that he never punched the victim and did not have his fist closed. He said he “tapped” the victim, and there was no damage.
The complaint notes that when Trooper Mosier explained that it looked like a punch, Bailes said he “pushed” the victim in the chest.
The charge was filed through Magisterial District Judge Gregory M Bazylak’s office on September 18.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, with Judge Bazylak presiding.
Court documents indicate Bailes is currently serving a sentence of up to two years behind bars on one first-degree misdemeanor count of accessing a device issued to another and DUI.
