11 inmates in the South Dakota State Penitentiary have been charged in a disturbance that occurred within the prison in March. Several reports at the time highlighted unrest on the part of the inmates regarding tablets being taken away. Tablet use has since been reinstated by the prison. The disturbance included an assault on correctional officers, fires being set and damage to prison property. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced Tuesday 11 inmates will faces charges. Most of them intentional damage to property while 45-year-old Joshua David Vortherms faces two counts aggravated assault against a DOC employee and two counts simple assault against DOC employees.
Jackley talked about the charges…
- Joshua David Vortherms, 45, two counts of Aggravated Assault Against a Department of Corrections employee; and two counts of Simple Assault Against a Department of Corrections employee.
- Lee David Bernard, 32, one count of Intentional Damage to Property.
- Taylor Dallas Cook, 22, one count of Intentional Damage to Property.
- Markos James Fernandez, 19, one count of Intentional Damage to Property.
- John Welsey Lovejoy, 25, one count of Intentional Damage to Property.
- Connor David Shockey, 20, one count of Intentional Damage to Property.
- Michael Chaske White, 50, one count of Intentional Damage to Property.
- James Ewing, 41, one count of Reckless Burning, and one count of Burning Within a Structure Where a Person is Lawfully Confined.
- Curtis Carpenter, 39, one count of Reckless Burning, and one count of Burning Within a Structure Where a Person is Lawfully Confined.
- Michael Hewitt, 41, one count of Reckless Burning, and and one count of Burning Within a Structure Where a Person is Lawfully Confined.
- Mahlon Kirkie, 35, one count of Reckless Burning, and and one count of Burning Within a Structure Where a Person is Lawfully Confined.
