1 hospitalized after assault at Polk County Jail
One inmate was hospitalized and another was re-arrested following an alleged assault at Polk County Jail Monday evening.
Ovid Lavoie, 45, of Falls City, punched fellow inmate Michael Gravelle, 46, of Dallas, in the face, according to a probable cause statement filed in Polk County. After Gravelle fell and hit the back of his head on the ground, Lavoie allegedly kicked him in the face.
The arresting officer stated that Gravelle suffered serious physical injury and lost one tooth. He was taken to West Valley Hospital in Dallas for treatment.
Lavoie contacted the control room from his holding cell about 90 minutes after the attack and told them he broke his toe. During his interview, Lavoie admitted to hitting and kicking Gravelle. He told deputies Gravelle became upset about the television viewing choices. After Gravelle yelled, spit and called him a "rapist," Lavoie said he "lost it" and hit him.
He said he kicked Gravelle to make sure he wouldn't come after him. He added that he thought the other inmates might gang up on him and he wanted to make a statement.
Gravelle was serving a 12-month sentence after pleading guilty to possession and delivery of methamphetamine. In September, the Polk County narcotics team busted a drug ring comprised of Gravelle and three others.
A warrant was issued for Lavoie's arrest in early 2015 following a grand jury indictment. He was arrested on two counts of first-degree sexual abuse and two counts of first-degree rape for allegedly abusing a child under the age of 12.
Lavoie was re-arrested on the charge of second-degree assault. Second-degree assault is a Measure 11 offense and requires a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and 10 months.
Email wmwoodwort@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-399-6884 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth