WASCO STATE PRISON CORRECTIONAL OFFICER RECOVERING FROM SERIOUS ATTACK BY TWO INMATES

On Sunday, November 13, at 6:20 p.m., inmate Anthony Sanchez asked to speak to custody staff in an office. He suddenly attacked an officer by punching him in the face. He then grabbed the officer in a choke hold and continued to punch him in his face and head. Inmate Albert Vasquez was nearby; he rushed into the office, joined in the attack and repeatedly punched the officer. Responding correctional officers used physical force and chemical agents to stop the attack.

The officer was initially examined by WSP-RC medical staff and then taken to an outside hospital for treatment of a fractured nose, swelling on his head, neck and face;  and a laceration to the inside of his upper lip. One sergeant and two officers were examined and treated by WSP-RC medical staff for minor injuries and then released to full duty.

Sanchez, 25, was admitted from Kern County on September 9, 2016, to serve a sentence of life with the possibility of parole for attempted second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, street gang activity in commission of a violent felony, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Vasquez, 26, was admitted on August 24, 2016, from Los Angeles County to serve a 12-year sentence for assault with a firearm and street gang activity in commission of a serious felony.

Both inmates have been placed in the prison’s Administrative Segregation Unit as the assault incident is investigated. The Office of the Inspector General was notified.

WSP-RC’s primary mission is to provide short-term housing necessary to process, classify and evaluate new inmates physically and mentally, and determine their security level, program requirements and appropriate institutional placement. WSP-RC was opened February 1991, houses approximately 4,800 inmates and employs approximately 1,570 people.

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