Carlton Co. Inmate Charged with Attempted Murder of Guard

CARLTON, Minn. – A Carlton County inmate has been charged with attempted murder after he attacked a corrections officer, according to court documents.

Matthew William Johnson, 27, is facing charges, including attempted murder, after authorities say he attacked a corrections officer at the Carlton County Jail on December 30.

According to court documents, an officer let Johnson out of a room after he concluded a tele-visit. Johnson suddenly punched the officer in the face and then continued to hit him around his head and back. The officer attempted to call for help and, at one point, attempted to use his taser but struggled with Johnson over control of the device. The report states that Johnson grabbed the officer’s hair and beard, attempting to slam his head into the concrete.

When other officers arrived, they were able to restrain Johnson, who, according to the report, told officers that “he attempted to murder corrections officer TW.”

The officer received several stitches to his lip. If convicted of all charges, Johnson could face a sentence of around 40 years.