Sheriff's deputy hospitalized after attack at Marion County Jail
INDIANAPOLIS — A sheriff's deputy was hospitalized Thursday after being attacked at the Marion County jail, according to law enforcement officials.
Police said the assault occurred while two detention deputies conducted a detainee count at the Adult Detention Center just before 3 p.m. at the Community Justice Campus.
One of the detainees "refused to comply with instructions," and began to argue when everyone was asked to return to their cells, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
The deputy used pepper spray on the detainee, who then began punching her several times. The deputy was knocked to the ground and punched until other staff members intervened.
Emergency medical personnel took the deputy to a hospital. She suffered a broken nose, contusions, swelling and cuts to her face.
Jail staff placed the alleged inmate, a 35-year-old, on lockdown. IndyStar is not naming him because he was not formally charged in the attack at the time of publication. The Marion County Prosecutor's Office will determine final charges.
"This incident highlights the very real dangers that our correctional staff face every day," the Sheriff's Office said in a prepared statement. "The bravery and quick actions of our deputies prevented a dangerous situation from worsening."
Thursday's assault comes over a year after the fatal attack on another deputy at the jail.
On July 10, 2023, Deputy John Durm was strangled by a man attempting to escape the detention center. Durm died from his injuries.
Prosecutors charged Orlando Mitchell with murder and are requesting the death penalty in the case, which remains pending. Mitchell was already facing a murder charge in a separate case .
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