LANSING, N.Y. — An Ithaca man is charged with felony assault after he allegedly injured two corrections officers at the Tompkins County Jail.
Carmen Dechellis, 57, was in jail after being convicted of punching Tompkins County Judge John Rowley in the face in April. Dechellis was initially charged with felony third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and misdemeanors for fourth-degree criminal mischief, third-degree attempted assault, and third-degree menacing, as well as one violation for trespassing. But a plea deal allowed him to plead guilty only to fourth-degree criminal mischief.
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While incarcerated on that charge, Captain Ray Bunce said Dechellis was “uncooperative with our rules and regulations” on the morning of Nov. 26.
“He exited his cell, pushing past an officer, and ended up being restrained at that time,” Bunce said.
Two corrections officers were injured during the incident, though not so severely that any of them needed hospitalization, he said.
Dechellis is now charged with felony second-degree assault.
His case has been handed up to the Tompkins County Court from the Lansing Town Court. Further court dates are pending.