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Juvenile facility security officer dies in “horsepaly” www.privateofficer.com
The Ohio Department of Youth Services found that guard William Hesson, 39, died at the Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility after 17-year-old inmate Hubert Morgan kneed him in the chest or abdomen as the two wrestled in a prison laundry room. Hesson’s death on April 29 was ruled a homicide.
The hard, blunt blow disrupted the electrical activity of Hesson’s heart, triggering a condition called “commotio cordis” that caused his death, the report said.
The investigation concluded that Hesson was involved in “inappropriate” wrestling and horseplay with Morgan over the course of his shift at the youth prison. Just before the incident, Hesson had Morgan in a headlock, other inmates told investigators.
Nevertheless, Morgan, of Wakeman, who is now 18, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in Hesson’s death. The plea allowed him to avoid trial on more serious charges of murder and felonious assault.
He faces up to 10 years in prison at sentencing scheduled for Feb. 2.
Regis McGann, Morgan’s Cleveland attorney, could not be reached for comment.
While the report did not directly blame Morgan for Hesson’s death, Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Patrick J. Thomas said there is no question that the teen delivered the killing blow.
Thomas said claims that the two were engaged in a wrestling match were irrelevant.
“It may have been a wrestling match or it may not have been,” Thomas said. “The only person alive that knows is Hubert Morgan.”
The Ohio Civil Service Employees Association, the union representing workers in youth prisons, said after Hesson’s death that it was “shocked and saddened but not surprised” at the homicide.
Conditions in state youth prisons are “a disaster waiting to happen,” union president Eddie L. Parks said in a statement.
But understaffing apparently played no role in Hesson’s death, yesterday’s report indicated.
“Video evidence and witness accounts support that Hesson and Morgan were involved in inappropriate contact or ‘horseplay’ throughout the shift,” the report said.
Investigators looked carefully at video shot by surveillance cameras that showed Hesson and Morgan going into a laundry room out of sight of the camera. A few minutes later, the juvenile is seen leaving the room wearing Hesson’s uniform cap and carrying his soft-drink bottle.
Medical personnel were called when Hesson, who had collapsed to the floor, could not get to his feet and had difficulty breathing. Nurses reported his face was turning purple by the time they arrived.
Hesson was the first juvenile-corrections officer to die in an assault in the 28 years of the Department of Youth Services.
The internal investigation did not directly address issues raised in another report late last year by a monitor involved in the settlement of a lawsuit over conditions at Ohio youth prisons.
That report said Youth Services failed to assess Morgan’s security risk. Records show he was involved in 15 assaults, disruptive behavior and two sexual assaults between Aug. 27, 2008, when he entered the system, and Hesson’s death eight months later.
DYS officials disputed that Morgan was misclassified.
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Casino security nab man for arson www.privateofficer.com
By: Rick McCann/Staff
PRIVATE OFFICER NEWS
http://www.privateofficer.com/ A fire at an area casino was discovered by a security officer and State police have arrested an Ohio man for allegedly setting the fire.
Police said that the fire was set to a restroom at the Presque (presk) Isle Downs & Casino in Erie.
Police say the security officer found the fire after patrons smelled smoke about 2:20 a.m. Wednesday. and notified other security officers as he attempted to estinguish the blaze.
Police have arrested 26-year-old William McMillen, of Cleveland, and charged him with arson, risking a catastrophe and other charges.
Police say nobody was hurt.
About 150 patrons and employees were in the slot machine casino when the fire was reported.
Police did not immediately say how the fire was started or why McMillen allegedly set it.
McMillen is awaiting arraignment before a district judge in Erie.
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Fontana teacher charged with lewd acts www.privateofficer.com
Clark Alexander Mahoney was arrested at 4:30 p.m. Monday and booked into West Valley Detention Center for on suspicion of committing a lewd or lascivious act with a child, jail records show. Bail is set at $250,000.
Mahoney is a four-grade teacher who lives in Loma Linda and has worked at the school for about 10 years. Both of the suspected victims are fourth-graders, ages 9 and 10.
The arrest came hours after someone made allegations to school officials who summoned Fontana Unified School District police. After a preliminary investigation, school police called the city police to continue the investigation.
“We have two victims at this moment,” said Sgt. Jeff Decker, adding that detectives are checking whether a third child also was victimized. “It occurred yesterday at the school.”
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OFFICER DOWN-UTAH www.privateofficer.com
Millard County Sheriff’s Office
Utah
End of Watch: Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Biographical Info
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: At large
Deputy Josie Fox was shot and killed while attempting to stop a vehicle connected to a car theft investigation. Deputy Fox’s sergeant had spotted two vehicles wanted in connection with the investigation and called for backup.
The sergeant followed one vehicle while Deputy Fox followed the second. A short time later Deputy Fox requested backup after stopping the vehicle on Highway 50, near Delta. When her sergeant arrived he found her suffering from a gunshot wound to her neck, just above her vest.
The suspect, who fled the scene in the vehicle, was identified as an illegal alien who had already been deported but had returned to the United States. The suspect remains at large.
Deputy Fox had served with the Millard County Sheriff’s Office for five years. She is survived by her husband and two children.
Agency Contact Information
Millard County Sheriff’s Office
765 South Hwy 99
Fillmore, UT 84631
Phone: (435) 864-2755
Please contact the Millard County Sheriff’s Office for funeral arrangements or for survivor benefit fund information.
