A Carter County woman faces a criminal charge after police said she assaulted another woman as she was exiting a court proceeding on Thursday.

Deputies of the Carter County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jessica Nicole Russell Worthington, 30, of 300 Lovers Lane, Elizabethton, on Thursday afternoon and charged her with retaliation for past action.

According to court documents, around 12:40 p.m. on Thursday a disturbance occurred in the Carter County General Sessions Courtroom and deputies detained Worthington.

The alleged victim told officers Worthington began to argue with her as they exited the courtroom and hit her in the face and arms. CCSO Deputy Sean Huvane notes in the affidavit of complaint against Worthington that he observed injuries on the woman’s chest where she said Worthington had hit her.

“Worthington pursued (the woman) in the hallway striking her several times and was witnessed by Deputies (Doug) Mahan, (Fred) Locket, and Lt. (Danny) Wilson,” Huvane said.

The woman told officers Worthington was upset about her testimony during a proceeding in Juvenile Court.