LOGAN — Eight inmates at the Cache County Jail are facing new criminal charges following a brief but violent 30-second brawl on Feb. 17 that investigators believe was highly coordinated.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a Cache County Sheriff’s Department investigator reviewed surveillance camera footage of the incident. The investigator alleges that inmates Andrew Baca, Christopher Damron and Brandon Simmons appeared to have preplanned the fight, noting they stood up simultaneously the moment deputies walked out of the jail block.
The affidavit details a chaotic scene that began when Baca threw two full water bottles. The first bottle struck fellow inmate Daniel Aguirre in the shoulder and the left side of his head. Baca then threw the second bottle at David Jiminez-Angel, striking him in the head and causing a laceration on his forehead that split the skin and required medical treatment. Following the volley of bottles, Baca and Aguirre traded punches before Baca picked up a chair and threw it at Aguirre.
Simmons initially squared up with six other inmates before reconsidering his choice. He then jumped into an ongoing altercation, punching Jiminez-Angel in the back of the head and grabbing him.
Damron’s involvement started when he engaged with Gilberto Kazama, who slipped and fell while trying to punch Damron. Damron was subsequently overtaken by Jiminez-Angel, Edgar Cortez and Fabian Ortega-Torres. Cortez threw a water bottle at Damron, while Ortega-Torres got behind Damron and grabbed him around the neck as Jiminez-Angel punched him in the face. After separating and before returning to lockdown, Damron threw a hard plastic lid at Ortega-Torres.
According to court records, the inmates face the following charges:
- Baca: Two first-degree felony counts of aggravated assault by a prisoner, one first-degree felony count of aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, one second-degree felony assault, and one third-degree felony riot charge.
- Damron: First-degree felony aggravated assault, second-degree felony assault, and third-degree felony riot.
- Cortez: Two first-degree felony counts of aggravated assault by a prisoner.
- Simmons, Aguirre and Jiminez-Angel: Each face one second-degree felony count of assault and one third-degree felony count of riot.
- Kazama: Second-degree felony assault and class B misdemeanor riot.
Ortega-Torres has been released to another facility, but authorities are seeking an arrest warrant for two first-degree felony counts of aggravated assault, second-degree assault, and a class B misdemeanor for riot.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.