Man arrested for aggravated assault to a correctional officer

HERRIN, Ill. (KBSI) — Williamson County Sheriff’s Deputies were in the squad room when they were told by a Correctional Officer that a recent arrestee had been moved into an interview room down the hall.

Previously, John Corliss was placed in an interview room while two correctional officers supervised him. He was in custody related to the stabbing of a woman which happened at Huck’s Gas station in Herrin, Illinois.

After Corliss was placed into the room, he became uncooperative with Correctional Officers and was told he needed to stand up to return to jail. Corliss then grabbed the table with both hands and attempted to strike the officer by flipping it into the air.

Deputies in the squad room heard an audible crash, yelling and what appeared to be a physical struggle and responded to help.

When they arrived, they saw the correctional officers had Corliss on the ground and applied pressure to his upper body to secure him as he attempted to break free.

Deputies entered the interview room and assisted the officers while Corliss continued to actively resist by putting his arm under his body. He was then cited for two additional violations, aggravated assault to a correctional officer and resisting or obstructing a peace officer.

“Any attempt to threaten, harm or resist our Correctional Officers or Deputies is taken very seriously,” said Sheriff Jeff Diederich.