A Polk Correctional Institution inmate sent to Beaufort County for a misdemeanor court appearance has been returned to NCDOC with a felony and six more misdemeanor charges for assault on a detention center officer.

Tyler Joe Ussery, 19, of Morehead City, was transported from the DOC prison in Granville County to appear before Superior Court Judge Wayland Sermons Jr. on a charge of injury to personal property last week. After the court appearance, he became combative with detention center officers, throwing toilet water on them, later spitting on a detention lieutenant through the cell bars and telling officers he would assault any person who entered the cellblock, according to a press release from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. Ussery then used a sheet to tie the entrance to the cellblock closed, to slow entry to the area, the release said. As cutting the sheet would expose the officers to further assault, they tasered Ussery, the release continued. He was held in a restraint chair until he could be transported back to Polk Correctional Institute.

“The whole reason he was cutting up was because he wanted to go back to DOC,” said Maj. Kenneth Watson, spokesman for the sheriff’s office. “He didn’t want to stay in our facility. …We’re not equipped to handle disciplinary problems so it frequently gets them what they want.”

Watson said it happens regularly — the last time was in October, when inmate Steven Jackson threw urine on a detention officer.

“When they’re serving time and know they’re going to be in for awhile they lose the incentive to behave well,” Watson said. “Acting out helps accomplish what they want, which is back to DOC.”

Watson said there is metal mesh that partially protects officers from thrown items, but not all areas of the jail have the protective mesh.

“It’s utilized in the main walkway areas,” Watson explained. “We do not have screens in entranceways where inmates enter and exit the cell block.”

Ussery was sent back to Polk Correctional Institute the same day. He was imprisoned on a variety of breaking and entering and larceny charges and will now be facing a felony malicious conduct by a prisoner charge, along with six counts of assault on a government official.