Bishopville, SC (WLTX) - Five inmates are facing charges in connection with a February riot at Lee Correctional Institution that left several corrections officers injured.
This incident happened on February 26th. According to warrants, the problem began when 21-year-old Darrian James Roberson refused to allow officers to search for a homemade weapon that he had. State Law Enforcement Division agents say he then physically assaulted an associate warden and three other officers.
Other inmates saw what was happening and became "rowdy and aggressive," the warrant says, and began threatening and assaulting the officers.
During the resulting conflict, agents say 22-year-old Tore Michael Dove, 21-year-old Christian Manuel Roman, and 30-year-old William Anthony Wallace all stabbed the same officer as that officer was trying to run away from the rioting inmates. According to SLED agents, Wallace also tried to stab a female officer, but was stopped by a different corrections employee.
Other officers were kicked and punched, corrections officials said. The officers were treated and released at local hospitals for their injuries.
The prison was put on lockdown, and a nearly nine hour standoff between corrections officials and inmates inside the prison began. The situation ended just after 9 p.m. when a prison emergency team secured the dorm.
Corrections officials say at no point during the incident were any guards taken hostage.
Here is the full list of inmates who were charged:
Darrian Roberson, age 21 - Charge with inciting Prisoners to Riot, Assault and Battery 2nd (4 counts), Carrying or Concealing Weapon by Inmate
Tore Michael Dove - age 22 - Charged with Attempted Murder, Carrying or Concealing Weapon by inmate, Participating in Riot by Prisoner
Antonio Blakely - age 23 - Charged with Participating in Riot by Prisoner
Christian Roman - age 21 - Charged with Attempted Murder, Participating in a Riot, Carrying or Concealing a Weapon by inmate
William Wallace - age 30 - Charged with Attempted Murder (2 counts), Participation in Riot, Carrying or Concealing a Weapon by inmate
All of the inmates were previously serving sentences of less than 15 years, except Wallace, who was serving a life sentence on a murder charge. Wallace had also been accused of assaulting a fellow inmate in June of 2014 while he was housed at the Richland County Detention Center.
Lee Correctional is a maximum security prison located just outside of the town of Bishopville.
