On July 31, at about 1 p.m., a Pinal County Sheriff’s Detention Officer was violently assaulted by two inmates inside the Pinal County Sheriff’s Adult Detention Center. The officer suffered facial injuries and a broken ankle from the assault. A second Detention Officer received injuries to one of his hands and wrists while subduing the inmates.
Both inmates are now facing charges for aggravated assault, a Class 4 Felony, and remain in segregated custody.
Sheriff Paul Babeu described the incident as follows: “The surveillance video shows that the two inmates had planned the attack on the officer when he and another officer were making routine security checks of the G-block cell area. When the officer stepped into a common recreation area of the cell block, both men followed him and viciously attacked him, punching him in the face and body. The officer fought back while a second detention officer ran to help. The assisting officer used a rubber-coated data collection wand to fight back the attackers. In spite of having a broken ankle and nose, the injured detention officer took one inmate to the ground and subdued him. The second attacker was subdued and restrained by the second detention officer.”
Ismael Martinez, 32, was injured during the arrest and was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a head injury. He has since been released from the hospital and is currently in PCSO custody. Martinez was in medium security custody awaiting trial on burglary charges.
Fabian Mendivil, 35, remains in PCSO custody. Mendivil is a Department of Corrections inmate transferred to the PCSO Jail for court on July 27.
Sheriff Paul Babeu said, “This calculated and violent attack on our detention officer is a stark reminder that the job they do is dangerous and a very necessary public safety function in the county. Our detention staff is as important as the deputies on patrol in keeping our residents safe. I’m very proud of how our detention staff handled this incident. They defended themselves and controlled a violent situation.