Courts. (Credit: Flickr/Creative Commons)
Jose Cruz-Victorino and Abdulazzez Myron Brinkly each had a felony assault charge dropped at their preliminary hearings this month
Two Montgomery County inmates accused of attacking three correctional officers inside the county jail last month had one of the most serious charges against them dropped during a preliminary hearing earlier this month.
At a June 10 hearing, a felony assault by a prisoner on a facility employee charge against both Jose Cruz-Victorino, 24, no known address, and Abdulazzez Myron Brinkly, 20, of the 300 block of Oak Street in Pottstown, was dismissed, according to court documents.
However, all remaining charges against each were held for trial in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, including three felony counts of aggravated assault and a misdemeanor count of reckless endangerment.
The charges stem from a May 17, 2025 incident at the Lower Providence Township facility. According to court documents, Cruz-Victorino threw a cup of liquid at a nurse and an officer during a medication distribution round, then physically attacked an officer after ignoring commands.
Detectives allege an officer was on duty inside the jail, assigned to security. Cruz-Victorino was standing in line, positioned in a stairwell, authorities said. He told the nurse twice, “Give me my s--- back, or you’re gonna get water,” detectives said.
Due to his aggressive behavior, the officer directed the nurse to move away from the stairs, and as she began to back away, Cruz-Victorino allegedly threw a cup of an unknown liquid, which hit both the nurse and the officer.
Cruz-Victorino then began to walk up the stairs and ignore commands by officers, detectives allege, and then turned aggressively toward the officer attempting to place him into custody. Detectives said Cruz-Victorino began to resist and assault the officer by hitting him with closed fists multiple times.
During the struggle, Brinkly, descended the stairwell and allegedly joined in moments later, pushing an officer down several steps before striking him multiple times.
The officer was defending himself from both inmates until additional officers arrived and placed the inmates in custody, police said.
The victim was hit multiple times in the face and suffered a cut on his hand, detectives said, but was evaluated by medical staff and cleared for work, according to the complaint.
Formal arraignment for both defendants is scheduled for July 23 in county court.
Bail for Cruz-Victorino was set at $25,000 cash, and $15,000 cash for Brinkly. Both remain incarcerated at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
