Two men face additional charges in assaults on other Carbon inmates

Two Carbon County inmates face additional charges after they assaulted other inmates earlier this month.

Ryan Matthew Rehrig, 38, of Palmerton, faces charges of aggravated assault, assault by a prisoner, simple assault and harassment after he seriously injured his cellmate on Aug. 14.

According to an affidavit filed by Nesquehoning police Chief Sean Smith, police were dispatched to the Carbon County Correctional Facility just after 8 a.m. on Aug. 14.

When he arrived, he spoke with prison officials, who said that Rehrig assaulted his cellmate and that the victim had to be transported to St. Luke’s in Bethlehem for a left orbital fracture in his face and now required surgery to repair the damage.

Rehrig told prison officials he “tripped and fell” and that they can’t prove anything, but continued that “that’s what happens to you when you steal.”

When Smith spoke with Rehrig, he claimed to not know what he was talking about regarding the assault and denied making any statement regarding a theft.

Smith observed that Rehrig’s knuckles appeared to be swollen.

On the same day, prison officials also told Smith of an inmate assault that occurred on Aug. 8.

In that case, Damian Eidem, 31, of Lehighton, was charged with assault by a prisoner, simple assault and harassment.

According to the affidavit, the victim, who had a black eye, told police on Aug. 8 he was transferred to the maximum security block and Eidem got wind of it and asked to be placed on the same block.

When the two were near the phone, Eidem punched the victim multiple times in the face. The victim was then transported to a hospital for treatment.

Smith attempted to speak with Eidem but he refused.