Female inmate allegedly attacks another
Published 6:04 am Thursday, April 1, 2010
A woman already facing drug charges following a January police raid was charged Tuesday with assault for allegedly attacking a fellow inmate at the Mower County jail.
Savanah Marie Rhodes, 20, of Stillwater, Minn., is scheduled for arraignment April 22 on the new charge of fifth-degree misdemeanor assault.
Rhodes was among 10 arrested Jan. 13 after police searched a property located at 507 East Main St. in Brownsdale, a search that uncovered a large amount of methamphetamine, as well as drug paraphernalia and a small marijuana growing station, according to court records.
Rhodes was charged with felony fifth-degree drug possession as well as a lesser drug paraphernalia possession charge, but she has not entered a plea on either count and missed a court appearance in late January. On March 11, Rhodes’ attorney filed a motion to dismiss the case, citing a lack of evidence. A hearing on the motion is set for May 7.
On March 8, Rhodes allegedly attacked another female inmate, 27, in her cell.
According to a police report, Rhodes allegedly attacked the woman from behind, grabbing her hair and pushing her face into the bars. The woman said Rhodes also punched her and attempted to gouge her eyes.
The woman said Rhodes was mad that she was using her deodorant. However, Rhodes told authorities that the woman was attempting to throw her stuff away, and when Rhodes approached her to get the stuff back, the woman pushed her and instigated the fight.
Rhodes denied attempting to gouge the woman’s eyes, the report states.
Several other inmates in the cell said they saw Rhodes attack the woman unexpectedly. Both women suffered numerous scratches and cuts, though the alleged victim had a number of black and blue bruises after the incident, the report states.