Inmate sentenced to 30 years following attack on Correctional Officer in Jackson County

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – On Tuesday, an inmate was sentenced to 30 years as a prison release reoffender after attacking a correctional officer.

On March 18, 2021, CO Captain Matthew Sanders was thrown from approximately five feet in the air to the ground by an inmate. Sanders suffered a fractured hip, officials said.

On April 7, 2021, while home recovering from his injuries, Capt. Sanders suffered an embolism and died.

Officials said a jury took about two hours to find the defendant 28-year-old Joshua J. Lawson guilty.

According to officials, Jackson County Chief Prosecutor Shalla Jefcoat called six witnesses and presented evidence showing on March 18 the defendant was verbally disrespectful to staff, refusing to follow rules and staff orders.

The defendant refused orders to submit to handcuffs, officials said.

According to a news release, testimony showed the defendant swung at Capt. Sanders when he attempted to apply hand restraints. During the struggle, Lawson was able to grab Sanders by the lower torso and throw him to the concrete, officials wrote in a release.

Other correctional staff then subdued the defendant.

Lawson was in the Graceville Correctional Facility serving a 10-year sentence for four 2016 offenses in Broward County – two counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, one count of attempted robbery with a deadly weapon, and grand theft of a motor vehicle.

A judge issued Lawson a 30-year sentence. She also ordered that it not begin until the defendant has completed his current prison sentence.

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