GRIMES COUNTY INMATE SENTENCED FOR ASSAULTING DEPUTY
An inmate at the Grimes County Jail received a prison sentence after being convicted for assaulting a sheriff’s deputy.
On June 14, a deputy, who was working in the jail, entered the cell of 38-year-old Orlando Rodney James to investigate why he was refusing to clean his cell.
According to reports, James stood up, clinched his fists, and got in the deputy’s face.
When the deputy tried to create distance, James struck him in the head with his hand.
The deputy defended himself and eventually was able to get out of the cell with help from two other inmate trustees, who restrained James.
According to the Grimes County D.A.’s Office, the deputy sustained minor injuries.
A jury was empaneled for a trial on Tuesday that was presided over in the 12th District Court by Judge J.D. Langley.
The trial finished on Wednesday with the jury finding James guilty in less than 20 minutes.
During the punishment phase of the trial on Thursday, prosecutors presented James’ criminal history which includes prior felony convictions and other convictions for violent offenses.
Multiple jailers also testified to his ongoing disciplinary issues while he has been incarcerated including: assaultive behavior, destruction of county property, and general defiance to the jail staff.
James was sentenced to 30 years in prison for Assault on a Peace Officer, a second-degree felony.