Correctional officers injured during assault by inmate at Franklin County Jail, police say
Carley BonkA Waynesboro man who is incarcerated while awaiting trial on child rape charges allegedly assaulted two correctional officers in his cell at Franklin County Jail earlier this month, according to police.
Alan Eichenlaub, 33, is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment, according to court records.
Pennsylvania State Police arrived at the jail, located at 1804 Opportunity Ave. at 8 p.m. Jan. 16 for a reported assault in the E-block.
State troopers were informed by Captain Dave Smith that two of his correctional officers were en-route to Chambersburg Hospital for an evaluation of their injuries.
The two officers stated in an interview with police that they instructed Eichenlaub to "lock in" his cell and he refused, according to court records.
More:Girl's school journal entry leads to child-rape charges against Waynesboro man
At the same time, Eichenlaub was "shouting profanities" at the one officer and walked over to the sink in his cell.
The inmate was then instructed to put his hands behind his back to be cuffed, but he refused and threw a cup of hot water in the one officer's face, according to court documents.
Eichenlaub then "charged" at one officer and repeatedly punched him in the face with his fist, police said.
The two officers began "rolling around on the ground" with Eichenlaub in an attempt to detain him.
More:Wanting to go back to jail, Hagerstown man punches officer in the face after release
The inmate was secured when additional correctional officers responded to a call for backup.
The entire incident was reviewed on surveillance video by state police.
State police also documented one correctional officer to have visible injuries to his left eye and left side of his face, along with a sprained left ankle that rendered him unable to walk, according to court records.
Eichenlaub remains in Franklin County Jail on an additional $50,000 bail.
He is scheduled to appear before Magisterial District Judge Kristin Niklas for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 11.
Eichenlaub was charged with rape of a child and related counts early last year after a girl wrote in a school journal entry that she had been molested.
Carley Bonk is a Watchdog Reporter for the Chambersburg Public Opinion. She can be reached at cbonk@publicopinionnews.com or on Twitter at @carls_marie.