Jonathan Valdez Matamoros, who was already in the Karnes County Detention Facility for a murder charge, has been sentenced to 44 years in prison for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against a public servant who tried to intervene in an inmate attack.

The 81st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, which covers Atascosa, Frio, Karnes, La Salle, and Wilson counties, revealed that Matamoros assaulted an inmate by cutting him in the head with a shank and also stabbed a guard in the arm who was trying to stop the assault.

Matamoros pleaded no contest to the assault of the guard and faced a sentencing cap of 50 years due to the severity of the aggravated assault. He had previously served five years in prison and had a punishment range of 15 to 50 years.

During a court hearing, prosecutors presented evidence of Matamoros’ violent behavior, including testimony from victims and witnesses involved in other incidents at the detention facility. After reviewing the case, the judge sentenced Matamoros to 44 years in prison.

Due to the seriousness of the offense, Matamoros must serve at least half of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. The murder charge against him still remains pending.