Inmate allegedly assaults deputy at Thurston County jail 

A corrections deputy was allegedly assaulted by an inmate on the morning of Wednesday, May 28, at Thurston County jail.  

According to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO), the incident began when the deputy opened the inmate’s cell for the inmate to take part in recreational activities.  

The inmate, identified as Nathaniel David Foster in police records, reportedly attacked the deputy without warning, striking him and attempting to seize a set of cell keys. 

“The inmate walked out of the cell and punched the deputy in the face then pinned them against the wall grates on the second tier of cells, grabbing the cell keys off the deputy,” TCSO Sheriff Derek Sanders said in a social media post.

Authorities say the deputy fought back and was eventually assisted by his fellow corrections deputy. Deputies were able to subdue the inmate and retrieve the cell keys.  

The inmate was returned to his cell, while the deputy was evaluated at a hospital. The deputy has been medically cleared. 

Reports showed the inmate had been in jail since May 13 for a second-degree assault. The 32-year-old inmate was arrested for the alleged stabbing of a store employee, in an incident investigated by the Olympia Police Department. 

The suspect has now been charged for custodial assault following the latest incident.