Pima County jail guard charged with assault after allegedly hitting inmate in face

Pima County Corrections Officer Ayden Escarrega, 20, was arrested Wednesday night after a weekend altercation with an inmate at the jail resulted in minor injuries, Sheriff’s Department officials said.

During the booking process on Saturday, an inmate exhibited “uncooperative behavior,” a PCSD news release said. While the inmate was on the floor, Escarrega struck the inmate, who has not been named, several times in the face. Authorities did not detail the inmate’s injuries.

Detectives from PCSD’s Robbery Assault Team responded to the scene.

Escarrega was charged with aggravated assault and booked into the Pima County Jail, where he has worked for the last 19 months, said Deputy Keith Bee. Escarrega has had no other disciplinary incidents, he said.

Escarrega was released on his own recognizance and placed on administrative leave, officials said.