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Follow-up: Inmate facing felony charge after sprinkler head vandalization

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An inmate at the Independence County Detention Facility has been officially charged with a felony for damaging a sprinkler system in his jail cell. The charge is “impairing the operation of a vital public facility.”

Dylan Cooper

Dylan Matthew Cooper (pictured), 25, of Batesville, apparently broke the sprinkler head, causing water to flood his cell. The Batesville Fire Department had to come in and turn off the water supply, and replace the sprinkler head.

The Independence County Circuit Court information said inmate Cooper had been angry and disruptive, kicking his cell door and window because he had been moved from the intake housing area of the jail to the male housing unit. The court document said part of his disruptive behavior included damaging the sprinkler head.

His felony charge is punishable by a minimum of three years to a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000 — or a combination of both a prison term and a fine.

In addition, Cooper is being charged as a habitual offender, having been convicted of four previous felonies. If he is convicted of this felony, his punishment could be enhanced.

The bail on this felony charge is $10,000.

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