From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office

On August 19, 2017 at about 8:35 p.m., 42 year old Taume DeMarco, an inmate in the Humboldt County Correctional Facility, assaulted a female Correctional Deputy and two female medical nurses during a routine medication pass. DeMarco was arrested and booked into the facility on August 9, 2017 by the Fortuna Police Department forcharges of PC245(a)(1), assault with a deadly weapon. At the time of the assault he was housed in a maximum security celled unit.

DeMarco was receiving medication in his housing unit when, for unknown reasons, he became aggressive and struck one of the nurses attending to him. The Correctional Deputy quickly came to the aid of the nurse and was able to separate her from DeMarco. When the Deputy attempted to use her radio to call for back-up, DeMarco assaulted her by striking her in the face, then wrapped his arms around her pinning her arms to her body so that she was unable to finish her call. The Deputy was able to break free from DeMarco’s hold and push him to the ground. The second nurse called for emergency back-up using her radio. DeMarco refused to follow orders to stay on the ground and instead got up and began to attack the second nurse by attempting to strike her in the face. The Deputy grabbed her department issued conducted electrical weapon (Taser) and deployed it striking DeMarco, while the nurses moved to safety. Additional Deputies arrived and placed DeMarco in handcuffs. He was escorted to a holding cell in the Processing area. DeMarco, the Deputy and both nurses received medical attention for injuries sustained during the assault.

Without the quick response from the Correctional Deputy, this situation may have resulted in a serious assault to facility medical staff.
DeMarco was arrested and charged with PC241.1 (felony assault on a custodial officer), PC243.1 (felony battery on a custodial officer), PC243(c) (1) (felony battery with injury on custodial officer), PC243(b) (misdemeanor battery on an EMT, Firefighter) and two counts of PC241(c) (misdemeanor assault on emergency personnel). His bail has been set at $25,000.

The case has been submitted to the Humboldt County District Attorney for prosecution.