PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles man who allegedly attacked a Clallam Transit bus driver and elderly passenger in May is facing a new assault charge for a suspected attack in the Clallam County jail.
Riley Edge White, 59, was charged Tuesday with one count of custodial assault for allegedly punching a corrections officer.
“One of our officers attempted to feed him his lunch yesterday when [White] came out of his cell and attacked the officer,” jail Superintendent Ron Sukert said Tuesday.
According to the arrest report, a “vocal and demanding” White threw a cup of juice at the officer when he refused to mail a letter on White’s behalf.
White then punched the deputy in the throat, backing him into a hallway, according to the affidavit for probable cause.
A fight ensued in the hallway, where the officer was able to take hold of White and radio for assistance, Deputy Michael Backes wrote in the arrest report.
White and the officer “went to the floor grappling with each other” before White was subdued by other corrections officers, Backes said.
White claimed the deputy had refused to help him and pushed a sack lunch into his face, court papers said.
White admitted to throwing juice on the lawman and initially owned up to punching the officer, Backes said.
“White would later claim that he wasn’t sure if he punched [the officer] but admitted that he was in a fight,” Backes said.
Two other inmates provided statements corroborating the assault, Backes said.
Custodial assault is a Class C felony.
White was previously charged in Clallam County Superior Court with first-degree attempted kidnapping, first-degree attempted robbery and two counts of second-degree assault for alleged crimes that occurred on a Clallam Transit bus May 28.
He allegedly assaulted an 80-year-old acquaintance, Angeline Olsen, and Clallam Transit bus driver Joy Crummett before attempting to take command of the bus in west Port Angeles.
A video released by Clallam Transit shows a man kicking Olsen in the face and then attacking the driver.
Crummett managed to escape from White’s chokehold and deactivate the bus battery before White could drive away, Port Angeles police said.
After posting a $30,000 bail bond June 16, White was arrested at a Clallam Transit bus stop June 17 for allegedly violating orders to stay away from Transit facilities.
He was charged in District Court with second-degree trespassing June 20. His bail was raised to $50,000 after his second arrest.
Visiting Jefferson County Superior Court Judge Keith Harper raised White’s bail by an additional $10,000 Tuesday.
White will be arraigned on the custodial assault charge at 9 a.m. Monday.
White’s felony trial, which was previously scheduled to begin Monday, was stricken July 1 because the results of a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation had not been provided to defense.
A resolve/reset hearing is set for Monday.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
