KOSCIUSKO — A Claypool man who was found guilty of child molestation in January recently battered a correctional officer while incarcerated at the Miami Correctional Facility.

Jonathen R. Lovelace

According to a press release, Jonathen R. Lovelace attacked an officer with a weapon known as a “lock in a sock.” After being knocked to the ground, the officer was kicked in the head by Lovelace. The officer suffered injuries to the face and head and was treated at an area hospital. The officer is expected to make a full recovery from the injuries.

Criminal charges from the incident are pending while an investigation into the incident is conducted.

Lovelace was found guilty of child molestation, a level 4 felony, on Jan. 18. During a jury trial, it was revealed that Lovelace made a minor child put her hand on his penis. Lovelace told the child they were playing a game called beautiful girls and handsome boys.

He received a 16-year sentence to be served with the Indiana Department of Corrections. Before the battery, Lovelace’s earliest possible release date had been October 2038.