Staff Writer

An inmate at the Union County Detention Center is accused of assaulting another inmate during an argument over a card game.

Lashawn Franklin Brannon, 21, of 254 Mt. Joy Church Road, Jonesville, was charged Tuesday by the Union County Sheriff's Office with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

The inmate who was assaulted, Shawn Everhart, 26, of 2938 Cross Keys Highway, sustained broken facial bones. Detention center director Niel McKeown said Everhart will undergo surgery Friday and the county will have to pay Everhart's medical costs. He said the total cost of the surgery had not yet been determined but the county would seek restitution from Brannon.

A report said McKeown asked for the sheriff's office to investigate after Everhart told an officer he had been assaulted.

An inmate told Lt. Robbie Hines that he and several other inmates were in the day room when they saw Everhart and Brannon having words. They started calling each other names and Brannon told Everhart to meet him in the bathroom and they would settle it.

A video showed Brannon pull off his shirt prior to he and Everhart entered the bathroom. Brannon was seen pulling the bathroom curtain. A short while later, Brannon came out, walked back to the card table and resumed playing.

About five minutes later, Everhart came out of the bathroom holding the left side of his face. He then walked to the detention center office and told a guard what had happened.

Brannon told Hines he and Everhart got into an argument and Everhart got upset and began cursing and threatening him. He said he told Everhart three times to leave him alone and he got up and went into the bathroom. He said Everhart came into the bathroom and continued “messing with him,” and a fight ensued.

Everhart is serving a 30-day sentence for assault and battery.

Brannon is serving 30-day sentences for speeding, driving without a license and not wearing his seatbelt.

Damage at John D. Long Lake

Thursday morning around 1 a.m., Cpl. Scott Ruby and Deputy Randy Manus were patrolling John D. Long Lake when they saw picnic tables and benches under the picnic shelter had been knocked over with many broken. Damage was estimated at $800. An investigation is continuing.

Burglaries

On 102 Longview Drive, Lockhart, a victim told Deputy Roxie Belue Wednesday that someone went into his residence and took $2,900 in cash from under his bed mattress. The money was in $100 bills. There was no sign of forced entry. The victim also said kitchen cabinets had been opened.

Also on Wednesday a victim told Belue that someone had stolen items belonging to a hunt club located in the 700 block of the Strother Road.

Items taken are worth $510 and included a Horton cross bow with arrows, a cocking device and a turkey vest. A window had been broken to gain entry but the hunt camp gate and lock were not damaged.