From The Pineville Sun Courier -
On Friday April 2, 2022, 42-year-old Phongphet Phanthavong of Knoxville was booked into the Bell County Detention Center on a charge of being convicted felon in possession of a handgun.
During a move from his cell to make a call after being booked, Phanthavong attacked Deputy Jailer Jacob Dye by taking his keys and stabbing him in the forehead cutting him above his eye.
The deputy jailer was able to to regain control of Phanthavong and returned him to his cell. Dye then received medical attention for his injury.
Bell County Jailer Gary Ferguson commends Dye for being able to get the situation under control quickly so that it didn't escalate any further.
Phanthavong was formally charged on April 4th by Deputy Jailer Katy Cox with assault - 2nd degree. He was transferred to the Leslie County Detention Center on Thursday April 7, 2022.