Inmate's Attack Left Sergeant With Permanent Vision Loss: Complaint

STILLWATER, MN — An inmate at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Oak Park Heights has been charged with first-degree assault in an attack on a correctional sergeant, Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson announced.

The attack left the woman with permanent vision loss, authorities said.

Dominique Antoine Jefferson, 36, has been incarcerated since 2005 following his conviction of aiding and abetting second-degree murder.

"Correctional officers face the daily challenge of maintaining order and safety in some of the most challenging and dangerous environments, often at great personal risk," said Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson in a news release.

"We are grateful to the Minnesota Department of Corrections and the department's Office of Special Investigations for their dedicated efforts in bringing this case forward."

On Jan. 15 just after 9:30 a.m., Jefferson asked to speak with a member of the crisis intervention team.

After "a brief exchange of words," a correctional sergeant ordered Jefferson to return to his cell, authorities said.

However, Jefferson refused, grabbed a clear plastic mouthguard from his pants pocket, and placed it in his mouth, according to investigators.

He then told the sergeant to "ring the bell" and "I've been waiting for you," the criminal complaint states.

As the sergeant reached for her radio to call for assistance, Jefferson punched her with a closed fist and she fall to the ground, according to authorities.

Other officers restrained Jefferson, but he continued to verbally assault and threaten them, the criminal complaint states.

The sergeant was taken to Regions Hospital with significant damage to her right eye and several facial fractures.

Despite multiple surgeries over the course of months, the sergeant now has permanent vision loss in her right eye, according to authorities.

She will also require additional surgical procedures to repair the fractures to her facial bones.

As Jefferson is currently under the custody of the Commissioner of Corrections, a complaint warrant was requested to facilitate his prompt appearance before the Washington County District Court. The schedule for his initial court appearance is yet to be determined.

"Under no circumstance is the assault of a correctional officer tolerable, and the permanent harm that resulted from this assault is life-altering," said Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell.

"We stand in support of the sergeant who suffered this horrific injury and we are grateful to the Washington County Attorney's Office for their thoughtful review of this case, which resulted in these serious criminal charges."

The charge against Jefferson comes after five other correctional staff were assaulted last week in three separate attacks in the Stillwater and Oak Park Heights Department of Corrections facilities, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.