UTAH COUNTY, Utah, Feb. 21, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — A Taylorsville man is facing a charge of second-degree felony aggravated assault by a prisoner after allegedly attacking a Utah County Jail clerk with a pair of scissors.
A probable cause statement from Utah County said Ian Walter Berg, 30, is also facing a charge of first-degree felony aggravated kidnapping.
Berg was initially arrested for investigation of shoplifting. The alleged assault took place Feb. 13 when inmate Berg was waiting to be processed in the booking area of Utah County Jail.
“Inmate Berg was waiting in a holding area and left that area and came into a secure area to make his assault,” the probable cause statement said. “Berg waited until there were no deputies around and then grabbed a pen and scissors from the counter.”
Berg approached the victim from behind and put her in a headlock, choking her from behind, the statement said.
“He then placed the scissors on her neck and pressed them in,” the statement said. “Berg pressed the scissors into the victim’s neck in an aggressive manor and yelled repeatedly ‘I will do it.'”
The victim yelled for help and several deputies responded to assist.
“There was a short struggle that ensued before deputies were able to take Berg to the ground and into custody,” the statement said.
Several other inmates witnessed the assault take place.
Berg’s bail has been set at $30,000.
