HOUTZDALE – An inmate accused of taking part in a prison riot at the State Correctional Institution at Houtzdale in April of 2015 had all charges held to court after a preliminary hearing Thursday.
Isaiah Samir Lakeem Hall, 25, has been charged with three counts each of aggravated assault, assault by prisoner and simple assault. He has also been charged with one count of riot.
According to the affidavits of probable cause in the riot cases, at approximately 2:34 p.m. April 28, 2015, corrections officers responded to a physical altercation between two inmates in the south yard at SCI Houtzdale.
An officer observed an inmate on the ground while another inmate, Richard Adams, was kicking him in the head and face area. He radioed the Control Office personnel and alerted them of the assault. When officers approached Adams, they ordered for him to cuff up.
However, Adams refused orders from the three officers and proceeded to take a “fighting stance.” He stated: “You’re not cuffing me!” They took Adams to the ground and attempted to restrain him with handcuffs.
At that point, several inmates interfered and started to assault the five officers who had responded to the scene in the south yard. Inmates punched and kicked them multiple times about their heads, faces and bodies, the affidavit states.
Adams kicked, stomped and punched an officer while he was on the ground. The officer was flown to UPMC Altoona for treatment of his injuries as a result. He suffered a laceration on his head, facial contusions, head injuries (including a concussion) and a sinus fracture.
Inmate Yafest M. Oliver allegedly struck the officer with closed fists about his head and body while he was on the ground. He then punched and kicked a second officer while he was on the ground. This officer was transported to UPMC Altoona for treatment.
Oliver allegedly struck a third officer in the back of his head before taking his radio off his belt. He used the radio to hit the officer in the head. The officer was transported by ambulance to UPMC Altoona for treatment of head injuries, along with others to his neck, right arm and wrist and right rib area.
Oliver was also among the inmates who struck a fourth officer and helped to knock him to the ground, the affidavit states. This officer was transported to UPMC Altoona for treatment of injuries, including a brain concussion, facial contusions and right arm pain.
Hall allegedly kicked two officers several times about their heads and bodies while they were on the ground. Also, Hall allegedly kicked and stomped on a third officer while he was on the ground.
Inmate Norman Wothman was also observed assaulting officers. After the victims were removed and transported for treatment, he refused to follow any orders. Wothman threatened other inmates who were attempting to leave and encouraged them to stay in the yard to assault officers.