Jail inmate accused of breaking another inmate’s jaw
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IDAHO FALLS — A convicted felon involved in an attempted kidnapping and high-speed chase through Idaho Falls is now accused of breaking another inmate’s jaw.
Rodney D. Maddux, 24, is charged with one count of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm. If convicted, he could spend an additional 15 years in prison.
The jail assault
On Jan. 24, 2018, around 10 p.m., deputies in the Bonneville County Jail learned an inmate needed medical attention. The inmate’s face, hands and shirt were covered in blood, according to court documents obtained by EastIdahoNews.com
Video surveillance footage showed the victim walking and talking with Maddux. The two then stopped and exchanged words when Maddux appeared to swing his right arm, striking the other inmate in the face. As soon as the victim fell to the floor, Maddux allegedly punched him in the face around 10 times. According to the affidavit of probable cause, the victim did not attempt to strike Maddux.
Deputies say Maddux walked away and watched TV while the victim lay on the floor and eventually stumbled back to his dorm. The next day the victim’s jaw was notably swollen, making it difficult to talk to detectives. The medical contractor for the jail told detectives the victim had fractures on both sides of his jaw, requiring surgeons to place a metal plate on each side.
The aggravated battery charge was not filed until Jan. 3 of this year – nearly a year after the incident. John Dewey, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Bonneville County, said the main reason why charges were delayed is both the victim and Maddux were awaiting transport to an Idaho Department of Correction facility to complete a rider program.
Why was Maddux in jail in January 2018?
The day after the assault, Maddux boarded an Idaho Department of Corrections bus for transfer to a different facility. Maddux was in the Bonneville County Jail at the time for a felony burglary charge and probation violation that occurred in 2017. That same year he was also convicted of a weapons possession charge.
With both convictions, Maddux was placed on supervised probation after a rider review by District Judge Dane H. Watkins Jr. Maddux was officially placed on probation Aug. 24.
The high-speed chase
It was then on Sept. 4 when Maddux, along with 24-year-old Tyler Neil Garcia, allegedly attempted to kidnap a man using a handgun. The pair of felons then led Idaho Falls Police on a high-speed chase at more than 80 miles per hour.
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Maddux originally pleaded not guilty to the attempted kidnapping incident; however, he is scheduled to change his plea on Jan. 29.
Garcia will spend three to 15 years in prison for the incident.
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Maddux is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 16 for a preliminary hearing on the aggravated battery charge.