KANSAS CITY, Mo. — An inmate at the Jackson County jail assaulted a corrections officer Wednesday night, hospitalizing him with life-threatening injuries, according to a report released Thursday by KCPD.
Johnny Dunlap, 20, was charged Thursday with first-degree assault and armed criminal action.
According to court documents, Kansas City, Missouri police officers were sent to Truman Medical Center Wednesday night in regard to an assault on a corrections officer. The officers found that the victim, a Jackson County corrections officer, was on duty when an inmate assaulted him.
Court documents said the victim had fractures to several facial bones and nasal bones along with other injuries. Medical staff said the victim was in critical condition.
The assault was captured on surveillance video. According to court documents, the video showed Dunlap assaulting the victim for about eight minutes, using several items including a plastic cone to hit the corrections officer. The officer was unconscious for some of the attack.
Dunlap was in jail on previous charges of resisting arrest, operating a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, and operating a vehicle without a valid license. He was a municipal inmate who was being housed at the Regional Correctional Center.
Prosecutors requested a bond of $250,000. The charges carry a punishment of up to life in prison, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker called the attack "vicious" and noted a need for change in the jail ahead of charges being filed Thursday.
I’m praying for a Jackson County jail guard fighting for his life after a vicious attack by an inmate. Charges are forthcoming - And I’ll continue to pray. But that’s not enough. Change is needed...now.
— Jean Peters Baker (@jeanpetersbaker) November 23, 2017
In response to the assault, Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. released the following statement:
“Our corrections officers are dedicated, hard-working professionals, who have the difficult job of ensuring the safety and welfare of inmates. They are an important component of our criminal justice system. I admire the work they do to keep our community safe and they deserve to be treated with respect. As I’ve stated numerous times, the safety and security of our corrections officers will always be of utmost importance.
My administration and I take these assaults very seriously. Such violent behavior by inmates toward our corrections officers will not be tolerated. It is our hope that the person responsible for this assault will be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the corrections officer who was injured in this assault. We are fully committed to supporting the corrections officer and his family throughout this difficult process.”
This is just the latest in a string of issues over recent months.
In June, the jail was raided after an alleged bribery scheme investigation.
In August, the jail suspended visits from the public because of "unforeseen absences" with staff.
In September, a former inmate told his story of being attacked while at the jail.
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