An Auburn man has admitted to assaulting a Cayuga County Sheriff’s deputy while incarcerated at the jail in May.
According to Cayuga County District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci, 40-year-old Harold Calkins pled guilty Tuesday before Judge Jon Budelmann to one count each of Assault in the Second Degree, a violent felony, and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, a felony.
On May 7, Deputy William Ruff was making his rounds when Calkins sprayed him in the eyes with a water bottle to distract him, according to the sheriff’s office. He then slashed the deputy in the head with a sharp object, causing injury and requiring stitches.
Calkins was incarcerated at the jail for an unrelated Criminal Possession of Stolen Property Charge, which involved his possession of a stolen vehicle.
Because of his prior history, DA Grome Antoancci stated that Calkins will be sentenced as a second violent felony offender. He faces an aggregate determinate term of seven years in prison, followed by five years post-release supervision when sentenced on January 6, 2025.
DA Grome Antonacci prosecuted the case with assistance from Deputy Chief DA Suzie Azzarelli.
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