Inmate charged after alleged attack on corrections officer at SCI-Retreat

NEWPORT TWP. — A state prison inmate has been charged after a corrections officer he allegedly attacked was hospitalized and had to undergo surgery, police announced Monday.

Inmate Victor Manuel Morales Jr. approached corrections officer Erik L. Daniels in the C-Block area of SCI-Retreat at approximately 7:45 p.m. May 19 and, without warning, grabbed Daniels and repeatedly punched him in the face and head, authorities report.

The assault ended when other corrections officers discharged pepper spray on Morales and pulled him away from Daniels, police said.

Daniels, 33, was transported to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township and treated for a broken nose and a concussion. Police said Daniels also had to undergo a surgical procedure because of the injuries to his nose.

Morales, 25, was charged with aggravated assault and simple assault. A preliminary arraignment and preliminary hearing will be scheduled at a later date, police said.

According to the state Department of Corrections online inmate locator, Morales was transferred to SCI-Dallas sometime prior to Monday.

An inmate has been charged in the May 19 alleged attack of a corrections officer at SCI-Retreat in Newport Township, state police announced Monday.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_TTL010716retreat1-1.jpgAn inmate has been charged in the May 19 alleged attack of a corrections officer at SCI-Retreat in Newport Township, state police announced Monday. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader file photo