Joliet inmate struck guard’s face at Will County jail: cops

An inmate at the Will County jail is facing more felony charges after he struck a guard multiple times in the face, police said.

Three felony cases have been filed against Gregory Rideout, 21, since he was jailed Jan. 23. He now faces charges of aggravated battery and resisting a guard.

The new charges stem from an incident Thursday where Rideout allegedly approached a guard in his pod at the detention facility and “demanded that his cellmate get his snack,” Will County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer said.

The guard instructed Rideout to get back into his cell.

“Rideout then made a gun gesture with his hand and put it in the face of the correctional officer,” Hoffmeyer said.

The guard told Rideout to get his hand out of his face and Rideout allegedly struck the guard in the arm with his fist, Hoffmeyer said. When the guard began to gain control of Rideout, he allegedly struck the guard “in the face multiple times,” she said.

A second guard was able to gain control of Rideout and he was taken to the floor by both guards, Hoffmeyer said. Rideout was examined by medical personnel at the jail and refused treatment, she said.

Both guards involved in the incident were treated at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox “for bruising and other minor injuries,” Hoffmeyer said.

Rideout was first taken to jail Jan. 23 after he allegedly spat bloody saliva on an officer at AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Joliet police said.

Rideout’s bond was set at $250,000 after prosecutors asked for a high bond based on his “alleged conduct of putting others at medical risk during a pandemic,” Will County State’s Attorney spokeswoman Carole Cheney said.

On March 1, Rideout was accused of possessing a shank fashioned from the broken remnant of a food tray. About two weeks later, Rideout was charged after he was accused of using a broomstick to attempt to damage a surveillance camera and swinging the broomstick at guards.

Judge Sarah Jones signed an order to have Rideout examined to determine if he’s fit to stand trial.

Rideout’s attorney, Alex Beck, filed a motion requesting a fitness examination that said his client has been prescribed “numerous psychotropic medications” and he was hospitalized for mental health issues.

“Defendant has a long history of psychotic behavior and psychiatric treatment,” according to Beck’s motion.