Darrell James Wigham, 29, of Austin was charged on Thursday in Mower County District Court with felony fourth-degree assault on a correctional employee.

According to court documents, Mower County deputies were called at 7:10 p.m. on May 10 to the Mower County Jail to investigate the alleged assault.

The victim, a detention deputy at the jail, said he was bringing Wigham from his cell to the gymnasium when Wigham turned and punched him on the left cheek and on the back of the head. He complained of pain from the incident and believed Wigham committed the assault because of a disciplinary incident the previous day.

The deputies spoke to Wigham, who admitted he “beat up” the victim, according to court documents.

Surveillance footage allegedly showed the victim escorting five inmates to the gymnasium and Wigham attacking him as he starts to open the gymnasium door.

Wigham is currently awaiting trial on charges of three counts of felony attempted first-degree murder-premeditated, three counts of felony attempted first-degree murder-with intent while committing a felony and felony first-degree arson, stemming from a March 7 incident in which he allegedly set fire to the residence at 304 11th Avenue Southwest while three people were inside.

The three individuals told police they had seen Wigham earlier that morning dousing a doorway with paint thinner and threatening to burn down the house.

He is also awaiting trial on charges of felony theft of a motor vehicle, felony theft of movable property, and gross misdemeanor possession of stolen property for allegedly stealing his roommate’s car.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Wigham will appear in court again on May 31.