Kuoviy Kwot Omot, 21, and Naney Kwot Omot, 23, both of Austin, were charged on Tuesday in Mower County District Court with felony first-degree aggravated witness tampering-causing/threatening great bodily harm to prevent testimony. Naney Omot pleaded not guilty to the charge.

According to court documents, a deputy was dispatched at 7:59 a.m. on May 9 regarding an assault at the Mower County Jail. The alleged victim said that Kuoviy and Naney entered his cell that morning and assaulted him, punching and kicking him several times, after the cell doors had been opened to the common area. The victim said his uncle, who was also an inmate, ran into the cell to break up the fight. He stated he believed he was assaulted because he is a witness in Kuoviy’s upcoming attempted murder trial, and that the two assailants called him “snitch” and other names while assaulting him. The deputy photographed injuries to the victim’s face, right hand and left rib area.

The detention deputy on duty at the time said he saw the two run down the stairs from the second level and enter the victim’s cell shortly after opening the cell doors at 7 a.m., according to the court documents.

He said Naney stood guard outside and blocked the door while Kuoviy assaulted the victim.

The deputy spoke to the victim’s uncle, who said he heard a “commotion” and went in to assist, according to the court documents. He said he took Kuoviy to the ground to prevent further injury after Kuoviy punched him in the face. He also indicated he believed they attacked the victim because he was a witness in Kuoviy’s trial.

The victim’s cellmate said he had just exited the cell when Kuoviy and Naney entered and attacked the victim, according to the court documents. He said at least one of the assailants was punching the victim.

Surveillance footage allegedly shows Kuoviy entering the victim’s cell and assaulting him while Naney stood guard outside.

Kuoviy is currently awaiting trial on charges of attempted murder and aggravated robbery stemming from a Jan. 27, 2017, incident in which a man was shot in the leg.

Naney is currently awaiting trial on a charge of violent felon in possession of a firearm.

Both have extensive criminal records.

Kuoviy will appear in court again on May 21. Naney’s pre-trial has been scheduled for Sept. 19.