VIDALIA — An inmate was arrested Friday for allegedly pepper spraying two River Correctional Center employees.

Public information officer Vernon Stevens, said the inmate, Marquis McIntyre, 26, of 2939 Causey St., Alexandria, La., was seen on a video monitor talking on a cellphone.

Because McIntyre was not allowed a cellphone, correctional facility employees went to take the phone.

Stevens said McIntyre hid the cellphone in his clothes. When prison employees went to shake him down and find the phone, he resisted.

In the course of the struggle, Stevens said a guard’s can of pepper spray dislodged from its holster and fell to the ground.

McIntyre then allegedly picked it up and sprayed two employees. Neither employee was injured.

McIntyre was charged with two counts of battery of a correctional facility employee.