Several Officers and Civilian Staff Injured in Incident
For Immediate Release/Press release
February 3, 2022
Attica, NY – A 38-year-old inmate, who is serving a 19-year sentence for robbery, grabbed a female officer several times in the groin area and fought with officers who attempted to stop him at the maximum-security correctional facility yesterday.
The assault occurred as inmates were leaving a COVID testing site held in the facility chapel. The inmate exited the chapel and grabbed the female officer in the groin. The officer, along with two officers at the scene, grabbed the inmate’s arms and forced him against the wall.
Still resisting the three officers, the inmate reached around and grabbed the female officer’s groin again. The three officers forced the inmate to the floor. The inmate fell on top of the female officer causing her to hit her head on the floor. On the ground, the inmate continued to sexually assault the female officer. He grabbed her chest and pulled her hair while struggling with the officers. Two civilian instructors assisted the officers in controlling the inmate’s legs and torso until additional staff arrived and were able to place handcuffs on him.
Once in handcuffs, the inmate became compliant.
The inmate was escorted from the chapel area. During the escort, the inmate kicked one of the officers in the leg.
The inmate, who was convicted of Robbery 1st and 3rd in Queens County in 2011, was placed in a Special Housing Unit pending disciplinary charges.
The female officer sustained a head injury and was transported to Buffalo General Hospital for treatment. She did not return to duty.
Two officers were treated by facility medical staff for knee, wrist and thumb injuries. They remained on duty.
One civilian instructor sustained wrist and knee injuries and was treated by medical staff.
State police were notified of the incident and responded.
“This was a disgusting attack on a female staff member. The inmate needs to be held accountable for this heinous attack. He is eligible for parole in four years and obviously he is one inmate who is not rehabilitated after spending 11 years in prison. He needs to be prosecuted for sexual assault so the chance of being released on parole in 2026 is no longer an option. If he is willing to blatantly assault a female officer with other staff around, he is not fit to be roaming free in society. I strongly encourage the Wyoming District Attorney’s Office to file charges in this incident. I also would like to thank everyone who recognized the seriousness of the assault and came to the officer’s aid. Their assistance was instrumental to stopping the on-going attack.” – stated Kenny Gold, NYSCOPBA Western Region Vice President.