Level 5 inmate transferred after assault on officer

MARQUETTE — A convict in the Marquette Branch Prison has been transferred after he assaulted an officer on Tuesday.

According to the Michigan Department of Corrections Spokesman, Chris Gautz, the incident happened just after noon when the officer gave the inmate an order. The inmate did not comply and instead lashed out and assaulted the officer with a weapon.

The officer received a puncture wound on his arm and superficial wounds on both his arm and head. A second officer responded as back-up and was able to successfully restrain the inmate. He suffered scrapes to his head and arm during the altercation.

Both officers were evaluated at the prison and sent to the hospital for further treatment. They were treated and released on Tuesday.

The inmate was a level 5 prisoner, serving life for first degree murder. He had additional charges of kidnapping, criminal sexual conduct, assault and weapons possession.

This is not the first time the prisoner has been involved in an assault while in custody. An additional sentence was given after a 2011 incident in which he assaulted a prison employee.

Gautz says they are thankful the situation was not worse and it serves as a testament to the fast responses of the staff.

The incident is still under investigation.