A disturbing video has surfaced showing a male inmate in an Arizona jail attempting to reach the female side of the facility in what authorities say was a plan to commit sexual assault.
The inmate, 29-year-old Justin Avery, later confessed to his intentions, according to court documents obtained by local media. Avery, who was already in custody for allegedly sexually assaulting five women near Arizona State University’s Tempe campus, was caught on security footage sneaking past a guard at the Maricopa County Intake Transfer and Release (ITR) facility.
Inmate’s disturbing behaviour caught on camera
In footage obtained by ABC15, Avery is seen wearing an orange jumpsuit as he crawls along the floor, attempting to evade the guard at 4 a.m. The video shows him scooting across the male side of the facility, which was busy at the time, in an effort to reach the quieter female section. According to the court documents, Avery later admitted that he was drawn to a female inmate and had crawled over “like a spider.” He confessed that he was motivated by his attraction to her and had intended to “rape” her.
Avery stopped by a fellow inmate’s intervention
Avery managed to reach the women’s side of the jail and approached a sleeping female inmate, lowering his pants with the intent to assault her. However, his plan was thwarted when another female inmate noticed his presence and immediately raised the alarm. “Hey, get off of here,” the witness shouted, prompting Avery to attempt to silence her. Despite his efforts, the security guard had already been alerted by the woman’s outcry and quickly called for backup. Avery was restrained and later charged with an additional count of sexual assault.
The incident prompts jail review and reforms
The incident, which took place in April, only recently came to light. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office expressed shock at Avery’s actions, stating that this was a “unique incident” and the first of its kind since the ITR facility opened four years ago.
“We’re appalled by inmate Avery’s actions,” the Sheriff’s Office told AZFamily in a statement. “This was a unique incident, and the first of its kind in four years since the Intake Transfer and Release facility was opened.” Following the incident, the Sheriff’s Office took immediate action, adding mirrors to better monitor blind spots identified during the investigation. Additionally, a review of current procedures was conducted to ensure best practices are being followed.
Inmate reclassified, remains in custody
As a result of the incident, Avery’s security classification was increased due to “his institutional behaviour,” the Sheriff’s Office confirmed. He remains in custody as he faces further legal consequences for his actions. The shocking event has prompted broader questions about the safety and security of the facility, with officials vowing to prevent similar incidents in the future.