Man Convicted of Assault on Corrections Officer in County Court – Punched Corrections Officers Several Times; Attempted to Gouge Eyes Out

A man has been convicted after a 3-day trial in Cortland County Court. County District Attorney Patrick Perfetti announced 51 year old Drahcir S. Parson has been found guilty of Assault in the 2nd, considered a violent Felony, and Criminal Mischief in the 3rd, also a Felony.

“I’m gratified that the jury was able to see this case for what it was – as a community we cannot have Corrections Officers assaulted in our County Jail without accountability;” said D.A. Perfetti. “There has to be good order and discipline in the County Jail; this Office will stand ready to prosecute offenders who injure Corrections Officers or damage property within the facility.”

It was back in 2022 when correctional officers found Parson was tampering with a light fixture inside his jail cell, he was attempting to pry the cover off with a toothbrush. Parson refused to stop tampering with the fixture when directed to do so by correctional officers; he then became combative with the officers.

When correctional officers were attempting to subdue Parson, one officer was assaulted by Parson with him punching the officers several times in the face and head. The assault continued with the officer then injuring his elbow while hitting the ground. During this time Parson was also trying to gouge the officer’s eye out while continuing to punch him in the head.

Parson was eventually subdued after pepper spray was used.

Sentencing for Parson is scheduled to be held on January 16th, 2025. District Attorney Perfetti noted due to the violent Felony conviction, Parson must be sentenced to a State Prison and faces up to 7 years. Prosecution was led by DA Perfetti with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Finney Raju.