Prisoner assaults worker at Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility

An inmate at the Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility is facing additional charges after assaulting an officer.

On Jan. 18, at approximately 6:40 a.m., the Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility staff activated an emergency alarm due to a disturbance in Living Unit 3B, according to a press release.

A correctional officer was assaulted by inmate Darrell Ballard, 24, after the officer directed Ballard to put down a food item he had inappropriately received. It is unclear if the food was found due to a room inspection.

The press release states Ballard punched the officer several times in the torso and to the facial area, causing injuries. The officer was treated by on-site medical personnel; the officer?s injuries were not considered life-threatening. The identity of the officer is being withheld due to a pending investigation.

Ballard is serving time for a sex offense conviction from Cerro Gordo County and for revocation on his special sex offense sentence.

Following an investigation, the incident will be referred to the Henry County Attorney?s Office for prosecution.