A peace officer at a state prison in Los Angeles County is recovering after an alleged violent attack Monday reportedly perpetrated by a 28-year-old inmate at the facility, officials with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced.
The violence, according to a CDCR news release, unfolded just before noon on June 9 in one of the facility’s outdoor yards.
“The officer sustained multiple puncture wounds to the back of his head,” officials said. “Staff used physical force and chemical agents to quickly quell the attack.”
The officer, whose identity was not provided, was rushed to the prison treatment and triage area before being taken to a hospital outside the facility.
The suspect inmate, identified as Cosmin Badiu, was most recently transferred to the L.A. County prison from San Diego County in Aug. 2019. He was sentenced to nine years for first-degree burglary as a second striker with enhancements for prior felony conviction of a serious offense, prison officials said.
Investigators at the scene located an improvised weapon possibly used in the attack.
Badiu, according to officials, will be moved to restricted housing while the incident is under investigation and added that the case will be referred to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office for possible felony prosecution.
The officer’s condition was listed as ‘good,’ with officials saying that he was awaiting discharge from the hospital.
California State Prison, Los Angeles County opened in 1993 and houses approximately 2,700 minimum, medium, maximum and high-security inmates.
