SALISBURY — The Salisbury Police Department is continuing to investigate a vicious assault of a corrections officer by an inmate at Piedmont Corrections Institute.

Officials have issued arrest warrants for the inmate, who was in prison for rape and other sexual offenses.

Devozeo Demontra Person, 34, faces charges in the assault of 60-year-old Ernest Shue, according to a police report.

Officials say Person punched the corrections officer in the face while the officer was carrying a tray of sandwiches in the prison kitchen. While the officer was on the ground, Person punched him again in the face. The assault occurred about 8:40 a.m. Tuesday at the prison, at 1245 Camp Road.

Salisbury police officers went to Novant Health Rowan Medical Center to speak with Shue.

The officer was later transferred to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for treatment of a broken right orbital bone and broken jaw.

Officials with the state Department of Corrections said Shue was responsible for custody, control and care of inmates. They did not say how long he has worked for the prison system.

Person has a number of infractions while in prison, including damage to property, theft, sexual act, disobeying orders, misuse of medication and unauthorized location. He also has been convicted of robbery with a dangerous weapon and kidnapping. He has 16 years left to serve on a 27-year prison sentence for rape.

— Shavonne Walker