A former inmate of Auburn Correctional Facility, Taj Williams, pleaded guilty to Assault in the Second Degree in Cayuga County Court on charges stemming from an attack on a corrections officer earlier this year.
The incident occurred on March 14, 2024, when Williams punched a corrections officer who was frisking him upon his admission to the Special Housing Unit. The officer lost consciousness and sustained a broken nose along with other injuries. He was transported by ambulance to Upstate Medical Center for treatment.
Williams is scheduled to be sentenced on December 20, 2024, and is expected to receive a five-year determinate prison sentence, followed by five years of post-release supervision. Under New York State law, this sentence will run consecutively to Williams’ current prison term.
Cayuga County District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci announced the plea, highlighting the severity of the assault and the importance of holding individuals accountable for acts of violence against corrections staff.
The case underscores ongoing concerns about safety and security within correctional facilities, particularly for officers responsible for maintaining order in high-risk environments.
Williams will remain in custody until his formal sentencing later this year.
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