According to police reports, an incident at the Marble Valley Correctional Center in Rutland, Vermont, early on December 31, 2025, led to the arrest of 21-year-old Damien Q. Diaz, a Bennington resident. He has been charged with assaulting a protected professional following an altercation with Correctional Officer Evan Haley.
Police say the incident occurred when Officer Haley attempted to retrieve a tablet from Diaz, who was incarcerated at the facility. During this interaction, Diaz reportedly spat saliva, which struck Officer Haley’s face. This action prompted the investigation and subsequent charges against Diaz.
Diaz remains in the custody of the Department of Corrections at Marble Valley Correctional Center, and no bail was sought for this new charge. His court appearance is scheduled for February 2, 2026, at Rutland Criminal Court. The charges against Diaz are allegations at this point, and court dates are subject to change. Further legal developments may arise as the case progresses.
Source: Vermont State Police
About this report AI-assisted
Source: Vermont State Police ↗
How this was written: This story was drafted with AI assistance from public-record sources and published under VTScout's editorial standards. Spot something wrong? Request a correction.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges and court dates are subject to change. Reporting is based on information from law enforcement and public records, and will be updated as more details become available.
The VTScout newsroom covers Vermont local news, public safety, and community life across the four regions of the state. Tips and corrections welcome at [email protected].