Dakota County Jail Inmate Attacked Correctional Deputy: Attorney

HASTINGS, MN — A jail inmate is accused of punching a correctional deputy several times in the face this month. County Attorney James Backstrom announced that Aziz Holmes, 23, of Brooklyn Center, has been charged with one count of assaulting a peace officer (a felony) in connection with an attack on a deputy at the Dakota County Jail.

Authorities say on March 3, the deputy escorted Holmes to take a shower. After Holmes took a shower, the deputy took him back to his cell when Holmes turned around and punched him "three to four" times in the face with a closed fist, according to the criminal complaint.

The deputy was able to take Holmes down to the ground and restrain him. The attack left the officer with swelling and a laceration to his face, police said, and had to seek medical treatment for his injuries.

Holmes told authorities he felt he was being treated unfairly by jail staff and other inmates so he decided to "pop off" one of the deputies, according to the criminal complaint.

"The women and men who work for the Dakota County Sheriff are here to do a job and are not punching bags for those behind bars," Sheriff Leslie said of the allegations.

Holmes is currently serving time for stealing a car and fleeing police in Hastings.

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