Man who spit on, fought correctional officers facing new charges

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A man who struck and spit on staff at the Southwest Arkansas Correction Center in Texarkana, Ark., has been charged with three new felony offenses by prosecutors in Miller County.

Troy O’Guinn, 31, could receive up to six years in prison on each of two counts of aggravated assault on a correctional officer and up to six years on one count of second-degree battery of a correctional officer. All three charges also include the possibility of a fine up to $10,000.

According to arrest affidavits, O’Guinn struck Correctional Officer Robert Richardson in the face with a closed fist when the officer was attempting to break up a fight among inmates at about 1:15 p.m., Sept. 15. When officer Terrance Blakemore arrived to assist, O’Guinn allegedly spit in his face.

Two days later, Correctional Officer William Rice was in the process of issuing O’Guinn a roll of tissue when O’Guinn allegedly spit on him, striking him with his saliva on the left side of his face and left shoulder of his uniform, according to the arrest affidavit.

O’Guinn was sentenced to probation for breaking and entering by a judge in Columbia County in November 2015. His probation was revoked April 20, 2017, for failing to report to his probation officer, for failing to pay fees and for failing to report for mental health treatment and an evaluation for adult educational needs. O’Guinn was sentenced to serve 24 months in a community correction center at the time his probation was revoked.

At the time O’Guinn was booked into the Miller County jail on the three new felony charges he was wearing a spit guard to prevent him from dousing any other officers with saliva. He is scheduled to appear Oct. 17 before Circuit Judge Brent Haltom in Miller County.

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