Attempted assault charge withdrawn at preliminary hearing against inmate accused of attacking corrections officer

A felony charge of attempted aggravated assault was withdrawn at a preliminary hearing Wednesday against an SCI Phoenix inmate accused of punching a corrections officer, but charges of misdemeanor simple assault and summary harassment were waived for county court, per court records.

Raheem Michael Jackson, 35, of 2500 block Lisburn Road, Camp Hill, was charged by Pennsylvania State Police at Skippack July 9  for an alleged July 7 assault, according to charging documents.

The injured officer did not miss work from the alleged assault, confirmed a Pennsylvania Department of Corrections representative. According to the affidavit, the victim suffered injuries to the bottom lip, right check and back of the neck.

On July 7, at 6:54 p.m., the victim went to Pennsylvania State Police barracks in Skippack to report the assault, according to the affidavit. Police interviewed the victim the next day, who told them he was working an infirmary shift at 2:18 p.m. July 7 and responded to a call button activation from an inmate’s bed in a room, police said.

The victim entered the cell and saw Jackson’s cellmate in his bed and Jackson in front of the TV, per the affidavit. Police said the victim walked toward the cellmate’s bed to turn off the call button, at which time Jackson punched the victim in the face.

Authorities allege the victim fell on the ground, then Jackson got on top of him and attempted to bite his neck and back of his head, while saying, “I’m going to leave my mark.”

The victim used the toilet to try to push himself up, but Jackson, police said, tried to push his face and head into the toilet.

The victim got control of Jackson and placed him in handcuffs, police said.

The preliminary hearing was held before Magisterial District Judge Adam T. Katzman. A formal arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 4 in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court.

All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.