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MAYVILLE – An inmate in the Chautauqua County Jail was convicted Wednesday on a charge of assaulting a corrections officer.
Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt announced Oliver Bookman, 52, will face a maximum of seven years in state prison on a charge of second-degree assault, a class D felony. Officials say Bookman assaulted a corrections officer in June 2021 while being held at the County Jail on a separate charge.
“This conviction was the result of the Corrections Officers’ professionalism and preparedness, especially during their trial testimony,” Schmidt said. “Corrections Officers are charged with the duty of ensuring the safety and security of inmates and staff at the jail. It truly is a thankless job. We may not think about it, because it happens outside the public view, but every day they put their personal safety on the line.”
“I want to recognize the difficult work that our correction officers do each and every day to keep our community safe,” added Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone. “We cannot tolerate any acts of violence against our officers and will continue to charge those individuals who commit such crimes.”
Bookman’s trial was the first to reach a verdict following the COVID-19 lockdown, according to the DA’s office. Schmidt and First Assistant Andrew Molitor prosecuted the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 16.
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