JJC detainee charged with battery on a corrections officer twice in 6 weeks

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- A Juvenile Justice Center detainee has been charged with battery on a public safety official for striking two different corrections officers in two incidents that happened 6 weeks apart.

On March 27, South Bend Police responded to the JJC to investigate reports of an assault.

At the scene, a corrections officer told police 18-year-old Tori Richards became disrespectful to staff and was told to go to his room, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Richards refused to follow staff directions for several minutes and punched the corrections officer in the face, reports said.

Richards was taken to his room.

Police noted there is video of the incident.

Richards was charged with one count of battery on a public safety official on April 4 for this alleged incident.

On May 5, Richards and several other detainees were walking from a classroom to the gym when some members of the group became disruptive, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The corrections officer then informed the group they would not be going to the gym.

Several of the detainees, including Richards, were upset and began an altercation with the corrections officer and other employees, reports said.

Richards hit the corrections officer in the head, knocking him back, then hit him several times in the head and face, reports said.

The corrections officer lost consciousness and was lightheaded when he came to, reports said.

Officers noted swelling around the officer’s eye.

There were several witnesses to the incident.

Richards was charged on Friday with one count of battery on a public safety official.

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