A Carbon County inmate faces additional charges after throwing food trays at and repeatedly punching an officer inside the county prison.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Detective Chris Ritter of the Carbon County District Attorney’s Office:

On June 4, county detectives received a report from Warden Timothy Fritz of the Carbon County Prison of an assault against a corrections officer committed by Walter Hess, 22, at 4:26 p.m. June 3 in the prison’s restricted housing unit.

Fritz provided video surveillance footage showing the corrections officer in the unit day room, passing out food trays from a cart to inmates through the trap door of a cell.

Hess entered the room and approached the cart while the officer’s back was turned, reached into the cart and removed two food trays. The officer ordered Hess to step away while grabbing him by the elbow.

Hess pulled away and threw both trays at the officer and hit him in the face.

Hess began punching the officer repeatedly in the head and neck, while the officer struck defensive blows toward Hess.

The officer was eventually able to grab Hess and take him to the floor. Hess put the officer in a headlock and continued punching until the officer was able to break free and get to his feet and call for help on his portable radio.

It was later learned that Hess had prior training and experience in the martial arts and kickboxing.

The officer told detectives he had been diagnosed with a possible concussion and had been referred to a neurologist.

The officer remained out of work as of June 5.

Hess faces charged of aggravated assault, assault by prisoner, and simple assault.

He remains incarcerated in the Carbon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 monetary bail, and is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge Casimir T. Kosciolek of Lansford.