Lake County Gazette

A Lake County Jail inmate has been charged following an attack on a correctional officer on January 3. The Lake County Sheriff's Office reported on January 17 that multiple counts of aggravated battery have been filed.

Sheriff John Idleburg, in a statement from the Lake County Sheriff's Office, said, "Correctional officers perform one of the most challenging and underappreciated jobs in law enforcement, often facing unpredictable and dangerous situations." He added, "This incident highlights the very real risks they encounter every day to maintain order and safety within the jail. While the injuries our correctional officer sustained were serious, we are very grateful they were not worse, and I commend him for his strength and resilience in returning to work the day after the attack."

According to the news release, a correctional officer conducting his rounds on January 3 observed that an inmate had an excessive number of books from the library in his cell. The officer informed Raymond L. Smith, 46, of Zion's 2300 block of Gabriel Avenue, that he could keep five books but needed to return the rest. Smith was being held on homicide charges.

The release further states that Smith allegedly became enraged and clenched his fists. The correctional officer backed out of Smith's cell and called over the radio to report a disruptive inmate in his pod. The inmate reportedly lunged at the officer, striking him in the face multiple times with closed fists and allegedly attempting to choke him. The officer managed to create some distance and used pepper spray on Smith, causing him to retreat to his cell. Additional personnel responded, and Smith was taken to the jail's maximum security pod.

The news release indicates that the correctional officer sustained several contusions and lacerations. He was treated at a local hospital for his injuries and released before returning to work the next day.

According to Idleburg's office, the Lake County State's Attorney's Office reviewed the incident and approved charges including three counts of aggravated battery to a correctional officer, resisting a correctional officer causing injury, and resisting a correctional officer. Smith appeared in court on January 17 regarding these charges and was ordered to remain in custody.