Justin D. Pierce, 41, was sentenced Dec. 6 in Leavenworth County District Court to 130 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections. The sentence will run consecutive to all prior cases, according to a release from the office of Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson. A jury found Pierce guilty of battery against a law enforcement officer on Oct. 21.

According to court documents, Pierce injured a corrections officer during a disturbance that happened inside the Lansing Correctional Facility on Jan. 8, 2023. The attack occurred after Pierce approached and argued with the victim, who was working inside an officer station at the time. Pierce was directed to return to his cell but disregarded the command and entered the officer station, where he struck the victim with his fists. The victim received bruising to his legs and torso in the attack.

“This was a dangerous situation in which an officer was attacked — an unacceptable act of violence that has no place in our prisons,” Thompson said. “I appreciate the dedication of the officers who show up every day to protect and serve.”