Inmate commits 2nd crime in jail

For a second time in four months, a Bonners Ferry man has committed a felony within the walls of the Boundary County Jail.

Brandon Culler, 18, on June 4 allegedly beat up an inmate. Culler on Feb. 3 was accused of attempting to sneak drugs inside the jail.

In the most recent incident, he is accused of repeatedly punching and kicking inmate Jeremy Fishbaugh in the face, according to court records. Fishbaugh, 22, suffered cuts, a brief loss of consciousness and two fractured teeth.

Culler was charged with aggravated battery. An order also was issued requiring that once released from jail, Culler must keep 300 feet away from Fishbaugh, according to court records. That includes any contact in person, by phone, electronically or in writing.

Fishbaugh is in jail for an alleged probation violation from March in connection with a 2- to 10-year sentence for sexually abusing a child under 16.

In the earlier case against Culler, jail officials received a tip that he might try to sneak drugs in the jail, where he was serving time for a probation violation.

Assigned to work detail at the jail, Culler did things like taking out the garbage and shoveling snow. After receiving the tip, deputies watched him take the trash out, and saw him get into and dig around an ashtray outside.

Deputies approached Culler as he was returning to the jail and found five prescription pills in his possession. The pills were in a baggy in a cigarette box.

Culler refused to name the person who hid the drugs.

He was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and attempting to bring something not permissible into the jail, a misdemeanor.

Culler has a hearing at 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 20, at the courthouse.