A grand jury Tuesday returned attempted murder, kidnapping, and other charges against two Cook County Jail detainees who allegedly attacked three corrections officers one week ago.
Dante Jeffries, 30, allegedly attacked an officer after he was allowed to get a cup of water from a lower tier of jail’s maximum-security wing during breakfast delivery around 3:40 a.m. on Apr. 14.
A sheriff’s office spokesperson said Jeffries attacked the officer from behind, grabbed him by his neck, and dragged the man into his cell. There, Jeffries and his cellmate, Sharelle Sims allegedly beat the guard before the fight spilled back onto a catwalk.
Jeffries then got on top of the officer and choked him until he lost consciousness, the spokesperson said. Meanwhile, Sims used the officer’s keys to begin unlocking other cell doors, according to allegations.
Two other corrections officers who ran to assist the first victim were also injured. One of them was hospitalized in serious condition.
The grand jury on Tuesday charged Jeffries and Sims with attempted murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, and possession of contraband in a penal institution.
Jeffries was already facing 113 felony charges including attempted murder of a Chicago police officer. Sims, 23, has been awaiting trial on charges of armed habitual criminal and possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number.
