Inmate Charged After Assault on Detention Officer
On May 11, 2026, at approximately 3:36 a.m., deputies with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office D Shift responded to an assault at the W.E. “Billy” Smith Detention Center after a detention officer was assaulted by an inmate.
The incident occurred as the detention officer was attempting to secure the inmate back into his cell. During the encounter, the inmate assaulted the officer, causing minor injuries.
The inmate was identified as Prince Jaquon Ellison. Ellison was taken before a Lenoir County magistrate and charged with the following:
Assault Inflicting Physical Injury on a Detention Employee (Felony)
Ellison did not receive a bond due to being held in the detention center under existing pretrial confinement conditions.
