TAMPA, FL – An inmate at the Hillsborough County jail is facing charges after a violent attack on a detention deputy that left the deputy with serious injuries. The incident, captured on the jail’s security cameras, lasted about four minutes before another inmate intervened to stop the assault.
Court documents revealed that the inmate, identified as Fulton, resisted arrest and struck the deputy in the face when handcuffs were being placed on him. Following a pretrial detention hearing, Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez expressed her desire for Fulton to receive a maximum 30-year sentence, emphasizing the severity of the attack.
Lopez described the recorded assault as one of the most violent videos she has ever seen and expressed concerns about Fulton’s potential threat to the community. Fulton, previously known as an accused violent criminal from Broward County, was in Hillsborough for probation violations.
Former corrections officer Joe Rojas, appalled by the prolonged duration of the attack, raised questions about the response time and staffing shortages in correctional facilities. The deputy’s inability to call for help immediately due to the removal of his radio during the altercation raised concerns about safety protocols within the jail.
During Fulton’s hearing, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office requested restrictions on media access to the video footage of the attack, awaiting a decision in the coming week. The incident has reignited discussions about the challenges faced by corrections facilities nationwide in maintaining adequate staffing levels to ensure the safety of both inmates and staff members.