A Baxter County man has been arrested on charges he fought with jailers while he was locked up in the Baxter County Detention Center. Two jailers received minor injuries when they were punched by 36-year-old Zachery Oates Johnston of Gamaliel.
The incident happened March 15 according to the probable cause affidavit. Jailers went to Johnston’s cell because he was attempting to hurt himself. When the first jailer went into the cell, he was punched in the face by Johnston. A TASER was deployed and when the jailer entered the cell a second time, Johnston began choking him. Four jailers pulled Johnston off the jailer and he was placed in a restraint chair.
About an hour later, jailers were attempting to move Johnston from a cell back into the restraint chair. When a deputy entered the cell, Johnston threw a punch that was blocked by the deputy. After crawling away from the deputy, Johnston got up and tried to punch him again. The deputy pinned the inmate against the wall, but Johnston threw multiple punches, striking the deputy several times. As more jailers entered the cell, Johnston hit one of them in the face.
Johnston was arrested on the outstanding charges during a traffic stop Sunday morning. Charges include on two felony counts of battery on a police officer and one felony count of impairing the operation of a vital public facility. He also faces charges of failure to appear and contempt of court. His bond is set at $15,000.
Johnston was originally arrested March 7 on felony charges of residential burglary, battery in the first degree and aggravated assault and a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a minor. Those charges stem from an incident where Johnston broke into a home and tried to stab a resident with a knife and shoved a 73-year-old woman to the ground as the fled the scene.
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