A woman inmate faces charges after attempting to choke a corrections deputy, according to the Indian River County Sheriff's Office.
Katheryn Chinn, 23, was being moved from her cell to showers when the attack on Deputy Jeff Wolski happened, the sheriff's office says.
Surveillance video appears to show the deputy getting ready to open a door when, from behind, the handcuffed inmate throws her arms over his head and attempts to choke him.
A female deputy, who was behind Chinn, helped Wolski subdue the inmate.
The sheriff's office says Chinn was originally booked into the jail on Monday on a charge of felony battery on a law enforcement officer after she was accused of attacking a Vero Beach Police Officer.
Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar says Chinn was likely still under the influence of flakka even days after her arrest. "The deputy was a very large deputy that was taken to the ground by somebody that had seemingly supernatural strength. That’s contributed by the terrible drugs that are on our streets."
The female deputy, who helped Wolski, had been on the job for only two days.
"This incident goes to show the dangers that our corrections deputies face each and every day. While most of our citizens were home sleeping, one of our corrections deputies was injured by an inmate. With so many tragic events capturing the attention of the national media, we are proud of our men and women who work hard every day to keep the public safe and protect us," the sheriff said in a statement issued earlier in the day.
Wolski needed stitches and was treated at Indian River Medical Center.
Chinn was charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer. Her bond was set at $150,000.
