Press Releases

At approximately 8 a.m. on June 20, two correctional officers were assaulted in a dining area incident at Central Prison. Early indications determined several inmates refused orders from staff. Two of the correctional officers who responded were both assaulted by one inmate who hit them with his fists. The situation was brought under control by other staff.   The injured correctional officers were taken to outside medical for treatment and were released. No other staff or offenders were determined to be injured during this incident.

At approximately 12:30 p.m. today at Central Prison, two inmates were involved in an assault on one correctional employee. Unit Manager Brent Soucier was assaulted with a homemade weapon and was taken to a local hospital for treatment for serious injury. Soucier, 44, has worked for DPS for 19 years. The two inmates involved in the assault were Jaquan Lane (# 1449047) and Andrew Ellis (# 0782014). Both inmates have been transported to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

On Tuesday, June 19 at approximately 2:00 p.m., an aircraft with the State Highway Patrol’s Aviation Section crashed during takeoff.  The crash occurred near the NCDOT hanger facility on Garner Rd in Wake County.  As the helicopter lifted off the ground, the pilot lost control of the aircraft, in which the rotor of the unit struck the ground.  As a result, the aircraft came to rest on its side.    

Unit Manager Brent Soucier (pronounced Sue-sher) is in stable condition. Both inmates are still receiving medical treatment.    ORIGINAL UPDATE

UPDATE The occupants in today's SHP aviation crash are identified as follows:   The pilot is identified as Trooper R. M. Collie, assigned to Troop I, District 4 in Wake County. The passenger has been identified as Clint Stone, Assistant Federal Security Director with TSA/Federal Air Marshal Service.    

WHAT: N.C. Prison Reform Advisory Board Quarterly Meeting DATE/TIME: Tuesday, June 19, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. WHERE: Governor’s Crime Commission, Room 100, 1201 Front St., Raleigh

At approximately 9:44 a.m. this morning at Craven Correctional Institution, a correctional officer was struck by an inmate in the facial area with his hands. Staff restrained the inmate and the injured correctional officer was taken to an outside medical facility, where he was evaluated and released. The incident is under internal investigation and local law enforcement was contacted. DPS is cooperating with local law enforcement related to any criminal charges that may be filed. ###

Assaults to a correctional captain and inmate took place in two separate incidents on June 17 at Scotland Correctional Institution. At approximately 11:40 a.m. during lunch, an inmate was found injured in his pod by staff. It is uncertain how the inmate was injured, but the injuries noted are consistent with those received in a physical assault. The inmate was transported to outside medical for evaluation and treatment of what appears to be non-life threatening injuries.

At approximately 11:24 a.m. today at Polk Correctional Institution, inmate Alexis Ramirez (#1520499) assaulted three correctional officers with a homemade weapon. Two correctional officers were taken to a local hospital for treatment of what appear to be non-life-threatening injuries; one officer has since been treated and released. Ramirez was transported to an outside medical facility for evaluation and treatment of injuries.

State correctional and local law enforcement officers are seeking Pasquotank Correctional Institution inmate Devonta Respers (#1229310), who was reported missing from the minimum custody facility this morning at 10 a.m.