On February 13, 2023, a disturbance at the Hopkins County Jail was reported to a Hopkins County Deputy. The incident involved an altercation between two inmates, identified as Joseph and Jacovy, during a game of checkers. The deputy reviewed video footage of the altercation, which showed both inmates physically striking each other. Jacovy was seen holding Joseph on the ground at one point, but the altercation seemed to end when Jacovy released Joseph.
However, shortly after, Joseph struck Jacovy in the face with a jail-issued hot pot. Both inmates provided verbal testimonies, leading to the determination that Joseph continued the violence after the initial altercation ended. It was noted that both inmates engaged in mutual combat during the initial altercation.
Following the incident, jail staff placed both inmates in double-locking handcuffs and escorted them out of the cell. Joseph has since been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and selling amphetamines, with warrants issued by the US Marshals.
