PINE CREEK TWP., Pa. (EYT) – An aggravated assault charge has been filed against a Jefferson County Jail inmate who is accused of spitting on a corrections officer.
According to court documents, Punxsutawney-based State Police filed the following charges against 30-year-old Matthew Allen Nelson, of Reynoldsville, in Magisterial District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak’s office on Thursday, May 12:
– Aggravated Harassment By Prisoner, Felony 3
– Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary
PSP Punxsutawney were dispatched to the Jefferson County Jail on Monday, April 18, in Pine Creek Township, Jefferson County, for a report of aggravated harassment by an inmate.
According to a criminal complaint, police made contact with a corrections officer who reported that she went to Matthew Nelson’s cell to distribute his meal. Nelson was upset over an event that took place earlier during a sweep of the cells. The corrections officer explained she responded to Nelson screaming, and he became more enraged by her answer. She then related she distributed meals to Nelson’s cell before he screamed to get away and spat through the cell door window toward the corrections officer, the complaint states.
The officer explained the saliva landed on the right side of her chest, and after the incident took place, she had a photo taken of the saliva, the complaint indicates.
Police then interviewed Nelson at the Jefferson County Jail. He related he was upset that during the cell sweep, the correctional officers, including the victim, took multiple pens and pencils he used to draw, the complaint notes.
Nelson further told police that although he was told he would not receive punishment for having extra items, he was upset they were taken. He admitted to spitting but explained that when he spat in the victim’s direction, he was spitting at the door, the complaint states.
Nelson was arraigned at 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18, in front of Judge Bazylak.
His bail was set for $10,000.00 monetary for this incident.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 16, at 11:00 a.m. with Judge Bazylak presiding.
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