A Cassopolis man already in jail on multiple felony offenses is now facing life after being found guilty of additional felonies while in custody.
Paris Bradford, 36, was found guilty of assaulting a prison employee and obstructing police officers at a trial in Cass County Court on Wednesday. Already an inmate serving sentences for at least nine past charges – including multiple gun charges and criminal sexual assault criminal sexual assault – Bradford now faces up to life in prison.
According to a statement by Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz, Bradford was in the custody of the Cass County jail awaiting trial on an unrelated matter when he assaulted one of the deputies working in the jail.
“Testimony and video evidence revealed that the officers tried patiently to reason with the Defendant while he vociferously ranted for several minutes about the disciplinary process at the jail,” said Fitz, in the statement. “He ultimately refused to return to his cell after multiple direct commands. Bradford then struck the guard in the face several times and placed him in a choke hold.”
When other officers tried to step in and stop Bradford, he began to struggle with them before finally being subdued, according to Fitz. The defendant also took the stand and admitted that he resisted the officers as well as physically assaulting one of them.
“The video clearly showed that Mr. Bradford was trying to run the show,” Fitz said. “But that is not how a jail operates. Sadly, Mr. Bradford responded to their long-suffering restraint with intimidation and violence. This is a dangerous job. It was made even more so by the Defendant’s foolish and dangerous actions. Fortunately, these law enforcement officials were able to go home to their families without serious injury.”
Bradford is scheduled to appear for sentencing before Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman on Dec. 9, 2022 at 8:30 a.m.
(Photo via Eileen Crouse / Facebook)
