Inmate who attacked corrections officers now faces charges of attempted escape

PATTONSBURG, Mo. (KCTV) – An inmate who previously threatened a mass shooting and attacked multiple corrections officers has been charged again, this time for attempting to escape.

Daviess County, Missouri, Circuit Court Records filed Monday, Nov. 4, show that Ronnie L. Rice, 53, of St. Joseph, an inmate serving at the Daviess-Dekalb County Detention Center, has been charged again, but this time in connection with an escape attempt.

The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office said a corrections officer tried to serve Rice his dinner on Oct. 25, but he grabbed the tray and caused a distraction as he tried to open the cell door.

Law enforcement officials noted that Rice resisted all attempts to sedate him and close the cell’s food port door, but it ultimately took two rounds of pepper spray to subdue him.

Investigators said Rice was charged with terroristic threats in September after several notes containing derogatory comments and threats toward staff members were found in his cell. He threatened to shoot and kill anyone who worked or was incarcerated at the facility.

Earlier in October, Rice had been, too associated to the attack on two detention officers. Pepper spray was necessary to subdue him and ensure the safety of the officers.

Investigators noted that Rice tried to use his knowledge from his time as a detention officer to escape. He was ultimately unsuccessful. As a result, he was charged with attempted prison escape and attempted assault.