BUSHNELL, Fla. -- A state correctional officer is recovering after being attacked late last month at Sumter Correctional Institution, the Florida Department of Corrections announced Friday.
- Six Florida prisoners charged
- Officer hospitalized, released
- FDOC chief called attack vicious
Six inmates at the Bushnell-area prison were charged in the April 19 attack on the unidentified officer, the agency said.
“I want to commend the staff and inmates who came to this officer’s aid during this vicious attack," Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Mark Inch said in a statement. "Our officer showed courage and perseverance under extreme duress. I appreciate the quick and thorough investigation into this incident by the Inspector General, which led to the arrest of these inmates.”
A statement from the agency said "multiple inmates" attacked the officer at 2 p.m. Some inmates helped the officer. The attack was brought under control by prison officers at the lockup, which has 1,639-inmate capacity.
The six inmates were charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, depriving an officer of means of protection/communication, and false mprisonment.
They were taken to the Sumter County Jail and identified as:
- Tristen Stewart
- Julien Guevara
- Jacob Steinmetz
- Gregory Rheams
- Angel Arellano
- Jarahmeel King
"The correctional officer was transported to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and has since been discharged," the statement addedd. "The dorm involved in this incident is not under medical isolation or medical quarantine. The entire facility remains on restricted movement."