State Glance

Former corrections officer accused of assaulting inmate

PHOENIX — A former state correctional officer is accused of assaulting a handcuffed inmate.

Phoenix TV station KNXV reports a criminal complaint filed Monday by Maricopa County prosecutors charges 23-year-old Jason Alexander Cardenas with aggravated assault on a victim who was bound or restrained.

Court documents say Cardenas on June 27 picked up the inmate and slammed him to ground at the Lewis state prison complex in Buckeye while escorting the inmate from the recreational area to his cell.

The Department of Corrections says it terminated Cardenas on July 31 and referred the case to the County Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution.

The department says the Arizona State Personnel Board will hear Cardenas’ appeal of his termination on Dec. 20.

Sierra Vista man accused of making online terrorist threats

SIERRA VISTA — Cochise County authorities say a Sierra Vista man has been arrested after allegedly making terrorist threats on social media.

County Sheriff’s officials say 27-year-old Kurtis Lemaster was taken into custody Tuesday and remains jailed without bond.

Sheriff’s officials say deputies received information that Lemaster was allegedly threatening a school shooting in the Sierra Vista area by the end of this year.