Aitkin County: Inmate Charged After Assaulting Correctional Officer
Aitkin County (trfnews.i234.me) — An inmate at the Aitkin County Jail is facing a new felony assault charge after allegedly attacking a correctional officer during a disturbance inside the facility.
According to court documents, Randy John Lubins, already incarcerated at the jail, became increasingly erratic in the days leading up to the incident. Jail staff noted that Lubins had begun “cheeking” his prescribed medications — hiding them instead of swallowing — prompting staff to crush the pills and mix them with applesauce.
On the day of the incident, Lubins became angry, complaining about the crushed medication, and threw a cup of applesauce into the air and onto the floor. When a correctional officer attempted to close his cell door, Lubins allegedly shoved the officer and struck them in the face, leaving two long scratches on the officer’s right cheek.
Two correctional officers drew their tasers and ordered Lubins back into his cell. He eventually complied without further resistance. The injured officer reported minor injuries but did not require hospitalization.
Lubins is now charged with felony assault of a corrections employee, a serious offense under Minnesota law that can carry a sentence of up to three years in prison and/or a $6,000 fine. The case remains under review by the Aitkin County Attorney’s Office.
The Aitkin County Jail has not released additional information regarding Lubins’ prior charges or the duration of his current incarceration. The Minnesota Department of Corrections reminds that assaults on correctional staff are treated as serious crimes, even for inmates already serving time.
For more information on Minnesota’s criminal statutes, visit the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
