Inmate Accused Of Assaulting 2 Deputies Who Were Trying To Move Him
LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - An inmate is accused of assaulting two Larimer County Sheriff's Office corrections deputies after being told he had to be relocated to another cell.
According to David Moore with the sheriff's office, William Scott Pettigrew, 30, got access to a piece of metal from a vent cover and was using it to scrape away mortar between cinder blocks.
"Jail security supervisors determined it was necessary to move Pettigrew to a more secure housing assignment after learning he had damaged part of the wall in his cell," Moore said in a statement.
Moore said Pettigrew was told he would be moved but the inmate "made it clear he would not move willingly and would fight deputies if they tried to move him."
Officials determined they needed to employ the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) to assist in moving Pettigrew due to his statement. SERT members wear protective gear and are trained for moving "combative inmates inside the jail."
"When SERT entered the cell, Pettigrew responded by punching and kicking them. Pettigrew punched two deputies in the face before a Taser was used to gain his compliance," Moore said.
The team was successful in moving Pettigrew to another cell but one deputy suffered pain and swelling of the jaw. Another had a swollen eye and bloody nose.
"Pettigrew also attempted to bite a deputy. Pettigrew had moderate swelling and bleeding on his knuckles from fighting the deputies," Moore said.
Moore said the incident will be presented to the district attorney.
According to The Coloradoan, Pettigrew is in custody on charges of attempted murder, child prostitution, pandering and drug cases, among others.