Cook Co. Jail Inmate Punches Female Guard During Search That Finds His Homemade 'Talk Show' Videos

CHICAGO, IL — A Cook County Jail inmate with an extensive criminal history is accused of punching a female guard during a search of his cell, according to the sheriff's office. That search uncovered a laptop containing several videos of a talk show taped and hosted by the inmate in his cell.

Jimmie Smith, 41, was charged with aggravated battery after he allegedly attacked a corrections officer Dec. 5. The assault was captured on jail surveillance video, a release Friday from the Cook County Sheriff's Office stated.

During the search of Smith's cell, guards found the laptop, the sheriff's office said. Smith, who is representing himself in an upcoming trial, had been issued the laptop to help work on his defense, but he should not have had it in his cell. Authorities are investigating how he was able to keep and operate the comptuer.

A search of the laptop's hard drive revealed video files that showed Smith hosting a talk show — "My Back's Against the Wall" — from inside the jail. Clips from the videos released by the sheriff's office show Smith introducing the show "live from 'Crook' County Jail," as well as eating rice from a plastic container.

The laptop also allegedly contained lewd photos of Smith around the jail, according to the sheriff's office.

Smith has been in Cook County Jail for more than seven years in connection with a 2009 incident. In that case, he is accused of abducting and assaulting two women and two teenage girls on the South Side. Smith is waiting on a disposition of those charges, which include attempted murder, aggravated kidnapping and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault.

RELATED: Cook County Jail Inmates Charged in Separate Attacks

While in jail, Smith also allegedly stabbed his public defender with a shiv in 2014. He was charged with an additional attempted murder count, as well as aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and other charges.

In 2015, Smith was accused of talking to an undercover police officer about killing the judge and prosecutor in his case, the sheriff's office said. He was charged with solicitation of murder, and his next court date in that case is Dec. 21.

Jimmie Smith, 41 (photo via Cook County Sheriff's Office)

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