Jail assault spurs concern in East Meadow

Security was beefed up at the front gatehouse of the Nassau County Correctional Center in East Meadow after a visitor allegedly attacked a corrections officer last week.
   
Authorities said that a former inmate attacked the officer at the visitors’ gatehouse at the facility’s entrance on Carman Avenue. The officer, whose identity was not released, was bitten in the process.
   
Sharrief Yelverton, 31, of West Hempstead, was arrested on April 1 after he incited a verbal and physical confrontation with the officer, who was stationed at the gatehouse, at about 5 p.m., police said. Jail officials said Yelverton approached the officer and asked to visit an inmate. After being told to wait in line with other visitors, the officials said, Yelverton yelled at the officer.
   
Told to leave the property, he pushed the guard and attempted to take his service handgun, according to police detectives. As the officer attempted to apprehend him, Yelverton bit him on the hand, police said.
   
With assistance from a visitor, Yelverton was subdued by the officer and placed under arrest, authorities said.
   
The officer sustained several injuries and was transported to Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola for treatment. He was later released, officials said.
   
The corrections officers union, the Sheriff Officers Association, said it recommended that Yelverton be charged with a felony. He was charged with second-degree assault, a felony, and resisting arrest and third-degree criminal trespass, both misdemeanors, and arraigned on April 2 in First District Court in Hempstead, where he pleaded not guilty. Judge Terrence Murphy ordered him held on bail of $40,000 bond or $20,000 cash, which had not been posted. Yelverton is due back in court on April 28.