MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 17-year-old boy who was sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for his role in the brutal beating of a St. Paul man has now been charged with assaulting a corrections officer.
Cindarion Butler was an inmate at the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center when he allegedly refused to return to his cell and attacked a correctional officer around 7:25 p.m. on March 25.
According to the criminal complaint, Butler was being uncooperative regarding his vending privileges and when told he would lose privileges for his behavior, he replied, “I don’t care — I leave for prison tomorrow.”
Butler then refused to obey verbal commands and began sizing up the correctional officer, according to the charges.
Another deputy arrived to assist in escorting Butler back to his cell and while en route, Butler said, “I ain’t doing no 16 years” and swung at one of the officers, hitting him in the chest, according to the complaint.
The other officer grabbed Butler and a struggle ensued. Butler allegedly punched one officer several times and spat on the other while cursing at him.
The charges state Butler scratched the officer’s face and neck, trying to get to his eyes. Other officers arrived and Butler was eventually brought under control and escorted back to his cell.
Butler, of St. Paul, was 16 at the time of the brutal beating, but was tried as an adult back in January. The jury found him guilty of first-degree assault and first-degree aggravated robbery.
On the night of the beating, St. Paul Police officers say they found Ray Widstrand on Payne Avenue with blood coming from his nose and mouth. Witnesses said that members of the East Side Boys gang attacked Widstrand when he walked by a fight taking place between some women.
Widstrand’s injuries were so severe that they required facial reconstructive surgery.
Butler is now at the Lino Lakes Correctional Facility.
