The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its investigation into the July 6 incident that led to the injury of Detention Officer Juan Balderas.
At about 6:50 p.m. July 6, Detention Officer Justyn Standridge responded to a radio call for help from Balderas.
By the time Standridge arrived, Balderas had been knocked unconscious by inmate Mark Edward Roberts, 35, of Cornelia.
“Upon entering A Block, [Standridge] witnessed inmate Roberts in a frantic state, apologizing repeatedly,” the approved incident report states. “Once Roberts observed Standridge in the block, he instantly got down on the ground and placed his hands behind his back.”
EMS was called for Balderas while two detention officers placed Roberts in a wrap restraint and removed him from A Block.
Balderas was taken by Habersham County Emergency Services ambulance to Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville, where he was admitted for treatment and released the following day.
No security protocols were breached, and there is no known reason for the attack.
Roberts was charged with aggravated battery and felony obstruction after the incident. He had been arrested June 6, 2023, on charges of second-degree criminal damage to property, terroristic threats and acts, and a probation violation.
Nearly a week after the incident, Balderas returned to duty at the detention center.
Balderas was hired April 17, 2023.
Roberts currently is being held on $48,800 bond on all charges.
– Habersham County