A Gainesville man who was arrested Monday in Hall County on outstanding warrants is now facing additional charges after he allegedly assaulted and seriously injured another inmate at the jail.
According to a press release from the Hall County Sheriff's Office, Oscar Omar Cordova, 35, of Gainesville, is charged with aggravated battery and interference with government property after the incident.
Cordova and the other inmate were in the process of being booked into the jail and both were in the same holding cell. Jail personnel were alerted to a fight in the cell at about 5:20 p.m.
Personnel found the victim suffering from visible wounds to his face and head. The injured inmate was taken to the hospital to be treated. The preliminary investigation indicated the attack was unprovoked.
Cordova was then handcuffed and placed in a padded cell, separate from other inmates. Later that evening shortly before 10 p.m., jail officers witnessed Cordova pulling up the padding in the cell floor. Estimated damage to the cell was $7,000.
The Gainesville Police Department said Cordova was initially arrested after he reportedly punched an employee at Laurelwood Behavioral Health Facility in Gainesville while that employee was checking his vitals. The employee suffered minor injuries.
