Inmate accused of spitting on guards faces a set of new felony charges
Man is serving a 24-month sentence for breaking and entering
An inmate at the Southwest Arkansas Community Correction Center in Texarkana is facing three new felony charges for allegedly spitting on two correctional officers and striking another in the face.
Troy O’Guinn, 31, allegedly struck correctional Officer Robert Richardson in the face with a closed fist as Richardson attempted to break up a fight between two inmates during the afternoon of Sept. 15, according to a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account. At the same day and during the same incident, O’Guinn allegedly spit in the face of adviser Terrance Blakemore as Blakemore attempted to restrain O’Guinn.
O’Guinn allegedly spit on correctional Officer William Rice the morning of Sept. 17 as Rice was issuing him a roll of tissue. O’Guinn’s saliva allegedly struck Rice on the left side of his face and on the left shoulder of his uniform.
When O’Guinn was booked into the Miller County jail on an arrest warrant for all three charges, he was photographed for his mugshot wearing a spit guard. The device prevents detainees and inmates with a history of spitting behavior from dispersing their saliva onto others.
According to court records, O’Guinn was sentenced in April to serve 24 months in a community correction center by a circuit judge in Columbia County, Ark., for breaking and entering. O’Guinn was originally assessed a five-year term of probation but that was revoked because O’Guinn failed to report, pay court ordered fees and failed to participate in court-ordered programs.
O’Guinn has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a correction or law enforcement officer and a single count of second-degree battery. All three offenses are punishable by up to six years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
llarowe@texarkanagazette.com