Deputies hospitalized after separate fights with same wanted felon

DESERT HOT SPRINGS — Two deputies were injured and hospitalized after separate violent incidents involving a wanted felon arrested during a domestic disturbance investigation yesterday evening, Nov. 12. Both injured deputies were treated at area hospitals and have since been released.

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Deputies from the Palm Desert Station responded to a residence on the 19000 block of Chuckwalla Trail, in the Unincorporated area of South Desert Hot Springs, about 6 p.m., after receiving reports of a domestic disturbance at the location.

While responding to the home deputies learned a wanted felon, later identified as 29-year-old, San Bernardino resident, Devin Brian Dalton, was at the location causing a disturbance, Riverside Sheriff’s Investigator Armando Muñoz explained after the man’s arrest.

As deputies attempted to arrest Dalton for his felony arrest warrant he resisted arrest and a physical altercation ensued.

“Deputies had to use force to place Dalton under arrest,” Muñoz explained. During the struggle, both Dalton and a deputy were injured and later transported to separate hospitals with minor injuries.

“While at Desert Regional Medical Center being treated, Dalton assaulted another deputy while handcuffed, requiring Palm Springs Police to respond to assist the deputy,” said Muñoz.

The deputy was treated at the hospital and later released with moderate injuries.

After being medically cleared Dalton was transported to Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, where he was booked for his felony warrant. He will also be charged with additional crimes for assaulting and injuring the deputies, according to Muñoz.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Deputy Rice at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at (760) 836-1600. Callers can refer to incident file numbers O183160034 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 14 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.