LANCASTER — The Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) has filed charges against three inmates incarcerated at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in connection with the Sept. 18 attack of five correction officers inside the prison.
In a statement released on September 28, the Massachusetts Department of Correction announced that investigators filed criminal complaints in Clinton District Court on Friday, September 27, against the following individuals for the following charges:
- Jose R. Crespo, 39, has been charged with Mayhem, Armed Assault to Murder, and Assault to Murder.
- Heriberto Rivera-Negron, 36, has been charged with Mayhem, Armed Assault to Murder, and Assault to Murder.
- Jeffrey Tapia, 30, has been charged with Mayhem, Armed Assault to Murder, and Assault to Murder.
On Wednesday, September 18, at around 6:20 p.m., the Massachusetts Department of Correction received reports of several injured correction officers inside the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center. Two correction officers were assaulted by inmates and suffered multiple stab wounds. Three additional officers were injured while responding to the incident. In total, five officers were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
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“Attacks against our officers will not be tolerated and the serious charges filed against the three individuals demonstrates that the Massachusetts Department of Correction will take action,” Interim DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins said in the statement. “This type of violence is unacceptable and now those involved will be held accountable in the court of law. We have and will continue to make the safety and health of our Correctional Officers a priority and appreciate their dedication to the DOC and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
All three individuals charged in the attack are set to be arraigned in Clinton District Court. Crespo’s arraignment is scheduled for October 11, Rivera-Negrón’s for October 10, and Tapia’s for October 15.
THREE COWARDS !! HANG THEM HIGH !!