Sedgwick County Jail inmate sentenced for tossing scalding water on deputy
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- Inmate James Chavez received 69 months for aggravated battery and contraband.
- Chavez caused severe burns by throwing boiling water on a detention deputy.
- Sedgwick County Jail revoked inmate access to hot pots after April attack.
An inmate at the Sedgwick County Jail who threw scalding water on a detention deputy in April has been sentenced to five years, nine months in prison.
James E. Chavez, 20, of Wichita pleaded guilty on July 9 to one count of aggravated battery. He also pleaded guilty in a separate case to one count of trafficking contraband into a correctional institution for turning toothbrushes into shanks last year, court records show.
Sedgwick County District Judge Chrystal Krier handed down the 69-month prison sentence on Wednesday, court records say.
Chavez tossed a hot pot filled with boiling water onto Detention Deputy Paul Scarpitta around 7:20 p.m. on April 14 as the deputy spoke with another inmate. Chavez threw the water at his back, causing second- and third-degree burns, according to court records.
At the time, inmates had access to the cooking devices to heat water for coffee, tea and food like ramen noodles. The jail revoked access after the attack.
