The man accused of killing someone during a stabbing incident in Rock Springs earlier this month is now accused of assaulting another inmate who previously pleaded no contest in the death of his infant daughter.
According to charging documents, 27-year-old Charles Kenzell Carter, of Fayettville, North Carolina, is charged with Simple Assault, after allegedly punching 27-year-old Jacob Triplett in the face and trying to choke him. Simple Assault is a misdemeanor punishable of up to six months imprisonment and a fine of up to $750.
Court documents say Deputy Sheriff Keith Bramwell observed what appeared to be a fight in H-Pod (a particular area of the Sweetwater County Detention Facility) at about 5 p.m. on May 19th. Bramwell entered H-Pod and saw two inmates in a struggle on the table. Bramwell twice instructed everyone to lockdown and told the two on the table to get on the floor. The inmates involved in the incident were identified as Charles Carter and Jacob Triplett.
According to court documents, Bramwell pointed his taser at Carter and told him again to get on the floor, and he did. Bramwell then did the same for Triplett, and Triplett also got on the floor.
Bramwell spoke with Triplett and was allegedly told that the dispute occurred when the two inmates were playing cards. Triplett said that Carter told him he was going to “run the pod any way he wanted,” according to court documents. Triplett said he then told Carter, “You’re not going to be the Pod Daddy, because we didn’t need one.”
Carter then allegedly stood up and punched Triplett in the face. Triplett said he fell back trying to get away, but Carter continued to throw punches. Court documents say the two were facing each other and holding each other back when Triplett fell on the table, and Carter choked Triplett before Bramwell entered the pod and stopped the altercation.
Carter appeared before Circuit Court Judge John Prokos for the Simple Assault charge on Monday and pleaded Not Guilty. Bond was set at $500 cash, although he still has a $1.5 million bond for a charge of Murder in the First Degree.
Carter is currently awaiting his arraignment in District Court on a charge of Murder in the First Degree for the death of 20-year-old Toboris Lee on May 9th. The arraignment is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on May 31st before District Court Judge Nena James.
Read More about Carter’s Murder Charge Here
Triplett is currently awaiting sentencing for a charge of Murder in the Second Degree for the death of his four-month-old infant daughter as well as child abuse charges for other children in the home. Triplett pleaded no contest to the charges on May 6, 2016 as part of a plea agreement.
Read More About Triplett’s Murder and Child Abuse Charges Here