Officials investigating Banning in-custody death

BANNING — Three days after being transported to an area hospital for treatment of a “preexisting medical issue”, an inmate from Banning’s Larry Smith Correctional Facility succumbed to his condition and passed away last night, Wednesday, Oct. 23.

According to officials now investigating the inmate’s in-custody death, no foul play is suspected in the man’s passing.

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On Sunday, Oct. 20, around 4:50 p.m., sheriff’s correctional staff were directed to a male inmate in need of medical assistance inside a cell within the correctional facility, Riverside Sheriff’s spokesperson Deputy Mike Vasquez reported early this morning.

“Deputies and medical staff assigned to the jail responded, immediately assessed the inmate, and provided preliminary medical treatment for a preexisting medical issue,” Vasquez explained.

“Based on the inmate’s condition, medical personnel recommended the inmate be transported to Desert Regional Medical Center, in the city of Palm Springs for a thorough medical evaluation and additional care,” Vaquez continued.

Once at the hospital the inmate’s condition continued to decline and despite advanced medical treatment, the man passed away Oct. 23. Although officials have not specified what the inmate’s preexisting medical condition was, they say he was pronounced deceased at 6:55 p.m.

Officials have not yet released the inmate’s name, age, or city of residency, pending further investigation and notification of the man’s family.

After the man’s passing, Riverside County sheriff’s investigators and members from the Coroner’s Bureau responded to the hospital to conduct a death investigation, which is ongoing.

“Foul play does not appear to be a factor in the inmate’s death,” said Vasquez.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Rinkert at 951-922-7300. Callers can refer to incident file number BC192960002 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.

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Trevor Montgomery, 48, 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 or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; 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 29 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 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.