Riverside inmate dies in custody – COVID-19 suspected
BANNING, Calif. — Authorities are investigating the in-custody death of an inmate who had been incarcerated at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility (SCF) in Banning. The man had been in custody since August, 2019 when he was booked into jail on charges of arson and burglary.
According to sheriff’s officials, doctors suspect the inmate – who was being held in lieu of $1 million bail – passed away from COVID-19 related complications.
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On April 13, SCF medical staff determined the inmate, who has not yet been publicly identified, was displaying flu-like symptoms, Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Mark Wallace said after the inmate’s death.
“The inmate was immediately tested for COVID-19 and transferred to another housing unit to be more closely monitored by medical staff,” Wallace explained.
Test results the next day revealed the inmate tested positive for the novel coronavirus and jail medical staff began treating him for his symptoms.
On April 20, deputies became aware the inmate’s flu-like symptoms worsened and advised jail medical staff who assessed the man and determined he required further treatment at a hospital.
Six days later, on April 26, the inmate passed away at the hospital where he had been receiving treatment.
Although doctors believe the inmate died from COVID-19 related complications, the man’s exact cause of death has not yet been determined, according to Wallace.
After the inmate’s death, investigators from the Corrections Investigation Bureau and the Coroner’s Bureau responded and assumed the investigation into the man’s death.
According to Wallace, there were no signs of foul play in the inmate’s passing.
“The Riverside Sheriff’s Department is working diligently to address the COVID-19 pandemic and values the health and safety of all those who live and work within its correctional facilities,” said Wallace.
As of an April 17 official update, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco reported that 107 inmates had tested positive for COVID-19. 53 of those inmates had already recovered, are no longer quarantined, and have been returned to general housing, according to Bianco.
Additionally, 71 employees had tested positive for COVID-19, including two deputies, 52-year-old, Terrell Young and 52-year-old, David Werksman, who passed away within hours of each other from COVID-19 related complications.
As of last week’s update, nine employees had returned to work and several more were expected to return as they continue to recover from their symptoms over the next few weeks, according to Bianco.
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”So far, the majority of our staff testing positive have come from our corrections division,” explained Bianco, saying COVID-19 had also impacted the Department’s patrol, courts and support services divisions.
“Sick inmates are receiving constant, quality health from our doctors and nurses,” Bianco explained, while addressing the concerns some have brought to light regarding the Sheriff’s handling of the ongoing public health crisis.
“All of our inmates were provided with masks and are being encouraged to to practice good and social distancing,” Bianco continued. “The jails are being cleaned multiple times per day and inmates are being provided with ample cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items.”
This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.
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Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 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 16 grandchildren.
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