JOSEPH “JO BEAN” HUNTER, a 38-year-old inmate, has issued a public apology after a viral video showed him assaulting corrections officers at the Trumbull Correctional Institution, as he now faces additional felony charges and a $1 million bond.
According to court records, Hunter appeared in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, where prosecutors detailed two new counts of felonious assault related to the jail incident. The bond was set at $1 million.
Hunter is already serving a 32-year prison sentence stemming from previous convictions that include involuntary manslaughter, attempted murder, felonious assault, and aggravated robbery, all classified as first-degree felonies.
Authorities said the incident began when a female corrections officer approached Hunter, leading to a verbal exchange that escalated into a physical confrontation. The altercation was captured on video and later circulated widely on social media, prompting strong and mixed public reactions.
Following the incident, Hunter released a public statement apologizing to the corrections officers involved, identified as Miss Dill and Miss Gnarly, as well as to their families and staff at Trumbull Correctional Institution.
In his statement, Hunter also referenced past trauma during his incarceration, alleging that he was stabbed nine times while handcuffed during a previous incident and claiming officers failed to protect him. He said the experience left him with post-traumatic stress and other mental health issues.
Hunter stated that being maced during the recent confrontation triggered what he described as a blackout and a fight-or-flight response.
“When Miss Bill maced me I blacked out… I felt like once again I was fighting for my life,” Hunter wrote, adding that he did not intend to disrespect anyone involved.
Hunter said he chose to release the video publicly because he fears the consequences if he loses his case, stating there is a chance he could die in prison. He concluded his message by asking for forgiveness, saying he believes he has been forgiven by God and will continue to pursue his freedom through the legal system.
The case remains pending, with further proceedings to be determined by the court.
