File Photo
The two suspects were waiting to be transported back to Rikers Island following a scheduled court appearance when they allegedly attacked three Correction officers.
By Forum Staff
A grand jury has indicted two men on assault charges for a violent attack on three City Department of Correction officers last month inside the Queens Detention Center following the defendants’ scheduled court appearances, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
Brandon Bledman, 23, of Queens Village, and Nicholas Morris, 22, of Jamaica were arraigned on a five-count indictment charging them with one count of assault on a peace officer, three counts of second-degree assault, and one count of obstruction of governmental administration. Bledman and Morris were remanded and ordered them to return to court on April 23.
According to the indictment, on Jan. 15, inside the Queens Detention Center Annex the two defendants were waiting to be transported back to Rikers Island following a scheduled court appearance. The two men have pending cases in which they are being held in lieu of bail. Bledman and Morris exited a holding space without authorization and when they were instructed by members of the Department of Correction to re-enter the holding space, the two men allegedly refused. At that point, Bledman and Morris allegedly attacked three Correction officers. All three officers received extended medical treatment, Brown noted.
“The defendants in this case are accused of attacking three Correction officers, who were simply doing their job and coordinating transport for defendants going back to Rikers Island following court appearances,” Brown added. “The two men accused in this case allegedly refused to comply with orders and attacked the officers, causing serious injuries. This kind of conduct is not acceptable and the defendants will be held accountable for their alleged actions.”
If convicted, Bledman and Morris both face up to 15 years in prison.
