Inmate reportedly attacks corrections officer, attempts escape in Mercer County

CELINA — An inmate at the Mercer County Adult Detention Facility attacked a corrections officer and briefly had a Taser Monday night.

The inmate also attempted to escape from the intake area, but was unsuccessful, said the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office.

Two corrections officers received minor injuries during the incident.

Around 7:53 p.m., the inmate reportedly told a corrections officer that he had defecated in his pants.

The corrections officer got the inmate out of his cell in the intake area so that he could shower and change into clean clothes.
Once out of the cell, the inmate reportedly attacked the corrections officer.

A supervisor arrived to help and the inmate got control of a Taser, the sheriff’s office said.

The inmate then tried to escape the intake area, but was unable.

The incident lasted eight minutes.

“These two corrections officers remained calm throughout the incident giving back-up officers the opportunity to arrive,” said Sheriff Jeff Grey. “We continue to see more and more inmates with violent tendencies. I commend the staff and the responding officers for quickly regaining control. This is becoming a dangerous business, even in our small community.”

Celina Police Department, Ohio State High Patrol and sheriff’s deputies responded to the incident.

The two corrections officers were treated by jail medical staff before being transported to Mercer Health. They were treated and released.

The inmate was not injured during the incident, but was put in a restraint chair.

Gray said that the facility worked as designed and noted that the incident was contained to the intake area.

Mercer County Prosecutor Matt Fox was notified of the incident and will determine any charges after the investigation closes.