Marion Correctional inmate to serve additional time for assaulting a corrections officer

Hiram Melendez, a Marion Correctional Institution inmate serving 15 years to life for murder, has had three years tacked onto his prison sentence due to an assault of a correctional officer in August 2019.

Melendez, who has been incarcerated since 1993, attacked the officer, striking her multiple times in the face with closed fists, according to a news release from Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan. The assault occurred after Melendez became agitated with the officer. His violent outburst required the intervention of other inmates and an additional officer, who worked together to restrain Melendez and end the attack.

The victim, whose identify Grogan said he is protecting because of her privacy and respect for crime victim rights, suffered significant bruising to her face and required medical treatment following the attack. The swift response by her colleagues and even other inmates likely prevented more serious injuries, according to Grogan.

After a deliberation lasting seven minutes, a Marion County Common Pleas jury found Melendez guilty of additional charges related to the assault. Judge Matthew Frericks sentenced Melendez to an additional three years in prison.

Grogan said this underscores the seriousness with which the Marion County legal system treats assaults on law enforcement and correctional personnel.

“This sentence sends a clear message that our justice system respects and protects its correctional officers just as it does all members of our community,” he said. “Even those already serving lengthy sentences must be held accountable for their actions.”

Grogan praised Justin Frey and John Scott, assistant prosecuting attorneys, who handled the matter under Grogan’s direction.

“We have some of the best prosecutors around in our office, and I appreciate their dedication to pursuing justice,” he continued. “I also want to thank the investigators from the Ohio State Patrol, who gathered the evidence and investigated this case.”

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion Correctional inmate to serve additional time for assaulting a corrections officer