Will County inmate struck 2 guards in the face: records

A Will County jail inmate faces felony charges after he pushed and punched two guards, police said.

About 4:40 p.m. Wednesday, guards at the jail had directed Cordell Franklin, 26, of the 100 block of West Richton Road in Steger to return to his cell while he was in the facility’s dayroom, according to Will County sheriff spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer.

“Franklin did not head towards his cell and was ... told to lockdown,” Hoffmeyer said.

Two guards then approached Franklin to escort him to his cell, she said.

“Franklin became physical with the officers by pushing and punching them,” Hoffmeyer said.

Franklin was ultimately secured in his cell and he was charged with two counts of aggravated battery, she said. A criminal complaint filed against Franklin charged him with striking two guards in the face.

At Thursday’s court hearing, Judge Brian Barrett increased Franklin’s bond to $50,000. Barrett also ordered Franklin to follow all rules of the jail.

Franklin was jailed Feb. 2 after he was charged with committing felony retail theft. The case remains pending.

The criminal complaint alleged Franklin stole more than $300 worth of cigarettes on Nov. 13 from the 7-Eleven at 25936 S. Governors Highway in Monee.

Franklin was also issued several traffic citations last year by Crete police, court records show.

He was charged with disregarding a stop sign, failure to obey a police officer, and attempted fleeing or attempted eluding of a police officer in a motor vehicle.

The incident occurred about 6:51 p.m. on Sept. 8 in the area of Union Avenue and Main Street in Crete, court records show.