UTAH COUNTY, Utah, Jan. 16, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A Utah County Sheriff’s deputy was assaulted early Tuesday morning by a jail inmate who has a long criminal history.
A news release from UCSO said the inmate, Victor Luis Valdez, 26, of Provo, has been booked into the jail dozens of times.
On Tuesday morning, the deputy was assisting a nurse who was doing rounds and issuing medication to inmates.
According to the news release, Valdez became “unruly” with the nurse, and the deputy stepped between the nurse and Valdez to try to calm him down.
That’s when Valdez assaulted the deputy and continued to do so until other deputies arrived to subdue him.
The deputy was cut and bruised in the assault and was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated and released.
Valdez was not injured.
The UCSO news release states:
“Valdez has an extensive criminal history in Utah and has been booked into the Utah County Jail 36 times. Valdez is currently being held on charges out of Orem including retail theft, criminal trespass, and abuse of psychotoxic chemical solvents. He also struggles with significant mental health challenges.”
Charges filed against Valdez in this assault may include assault by a prisoner, a third-degree felony, UCSO said.
