Texas Prison Guards Fired and Arrested After Inmate’s Death
Two prison guards in Texas have been terminated from their positions and arrested amid allegations that they locked an inmate in a burning cell, leading to his death.
Inspector William Eugene Romero, 33, faces charges of criminally negligent murder, and Sergeant Crystal Janelle West, 39, is charged with second-degree manslaughter following an alarming incident at a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility on Sunday, as reported by local media.
The department stated that they are collaborating closely with the Office of Inspector General and the Special Prosecutor’s Office. They aim to ensure that any personnel involved in such severe omissions are held accountable and prosecuted fully under the law.
The incident unfolded early Sunday morning when an inmate—whose identity hasn’t been disclosed—set fire to his mattress in a cell at the heavily secured William P. Clements Unit in Amarillo.
When officers instructed him to put his hands through the food tray opening, West allegedly refused and insisted on contacting Romero, who was on duty. According to reports, Romero advised West to keep the food tray slot closed, and then both officers left the scene.
A source recounted Romero saying he couldn’t open the slot due to safety concerns, leaving the inmate in a perilous situation. West later returned but merely opened the food tray slot, allowing smoke to seep into the cramped cell without making any attempt to remove the inmate from danger.
Witness accounts revealed dissatisfaction with West’s actions, noting she didn’t exert herself to get the inmate out of the smoke-filled cell.
Staff members returned to the cell around 3:19 a.m., only to find the inmate unresponsive. Tragically, he was pronounced dead within the hour.
Romero and West were arrested later that day and subsequently detained in Potter County Jail. They were both dismissed from their positions at the facility.
Romero’s bail has been set at $150,000 while West’s has been set at $200,000. As of Tuesday evening, both remained in custody.
