A Gaston man has been sentenced to 8 years in prison for assaulting a Lexington County Detention Center guard.

Joshua Travis Rossman, 23, pled guilty to 1^st degree assault and battery Wednesday for assaulting a correctional officer while in the Lexington County Detention Center on unrelated charges, according to the 11^th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

Rossman was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge William P. Keesley to 8 years followed by 3 years of probation.

On January 5, 2019, while at the Detention Center, Rossman engaged in a verbal altercation with a correctional officer who was in the process of locking down the pod. Rossman subsequently hit the officer in the face with a closed fist. In an effort to retreat, the officer left the area only to be pursued by Rossman who then hit the officer again. The officer eventually fell to the ground motionless. Rossman then took the officer’s Taser and pointed it at another officer who was attempting to provide assistance. After a brief standoff, Rossman surrendered, but continued his aggressive behavior. Rossman was eventually placed in a restraint chair.

The officer was transported to the Lexington Medical Center Emergency Room for treatment. He sustained serious fractures to his knee and ankle as a result of the attack. He was in the hospital for over 3 weeks and underwent several medical procedures. The officer has not returned to work since the assault.

Rossman has a prior conviction for assault and battery.