Lake County Jail inmate charged in attack on correctional officer

WAUKEGAN -- A Lake County Jail inmate has been charged with multiple counts of aggravated battery to a correctional officer along with other charges, stemming from an attack on a correctional officer.

On Jan. 3, a correctional officer was conducting his rounds in a jail pod when he noticed an inmate, Raymond L. Smith, 46, of the 2300 block of Gabriel Avenue, Zion, who is being held on homicide charges, had an excessive number of books from the library in his cell, according to a news release. The officer informed Smith that he could keep five books but needed to return the rest to the book checkout area.

According to the release, Smith became enraged. The correctional officer backed out of Smith’s cell and called over the radio to report a disruptive inmate in his pod.

Police say Smith then lunged at the officer, striking him in the face multiple times with closed fists. At one point during the incident, Smith attempted to choke the correctional officer. The officer was able to create 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, according to the release.

The correctional officer suffered several bruises and cuts. He was taken to an area hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and released. The officer returned to work the following day.

Smith has been charged with three counts of aggravated battery to a correctional officer, resisting a correctional officer causing injury and resisting a correctional employee.

Smith appeared in court on the new charges and was ordered to remain in custody.

“Correctional officers perform one of the most challenging and underappreciated jobs in law enforcement, often facing unpredictable and dangerous situations,” Sheriff John D. Idleburg said in the release. “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.”