WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A Sedgwick County inmate accused of throwing boiling water on a detention deputy has pleaded guilty to aggravated battery.
James Chavez, 20, entered the plea in court on Wednesday.
The case stems from an incident in April when Chavez reportedly threw a pot of boiling water on a deputy inside the jail’s housing pod. Authorities said the deputy was speaking with other inmates at the time of the attack and suffered second- and third-degree burns on the back part of his body. He has since been released from the hospital and is recovering at home.
Related: Sedgwick County jail bans hot pots after boiling water attack
Chavez was originally booked into the Sedgwick County Jail in March 2024 on pending juvenile charges. A new charge was added in July after he allegedly trafficked contraband into the jail. The aggravated battery charge was added after the incident involving the deputy…