3 state prison guards collect $73,000 since death probe began
CARSON CITY — Three Nevada correctional officers who were put on leave after a fatal shooting at a state prison in November have collected a combined $73,000 in salary and benefits while an investigation continues, records from the Department of Corrections show.
Corrections officials have not identified the prison employees involved and would not comment on their current employment status, maintaining that personnel information is confidential.
But the department did release pay and benefit information when pressed by the Review-Journal.
According to the records, one guard identified as "Individual A" was paid at an hourly rate of $18.45 and has received $12,821.20 in salary and $7,532.09 in benefits while on administrative leave.
The other two were paid at an hourly rate of $20.90. "Individual B" has collected $22,655.60 in salary and $6,248.27 in benefits while on leave. "Individual C" received $15,549.60 in pay and $8,532.66 in benefits.
Inmate Carlos Manuel Perez, 28, died at High Desert State prison, 45 miles northwest of Las Vegas, on Nov. 12. A second inmate, Andrew Arevalo, 24, was shot in the face but survived.
The Department of Corrections reported the death shortly after it happened, but it wasn't revealed that Perez was shot and killed by a prison guard until the Clark County coroner's office released its findings on the cause of death in early March.
Perez died of gunshot wounds to the head, neck, chest and arms. The coroner ruled the death a homicide.
Separate lawsuits filed on behalf of the inmates say both men were handcuffed behind their backs. One suit alleges prison officials created a "gladiator-like" scenario, allowing the two men to fight in a segregated area where inmates are supposed to be kept separated.
The Nevada Division of Investigations conducted a probe and turned over its initial findings in late March to the attorney general's office, though follow-up investigations were conducted.
Patty Cafferata, spokeswoman for Attorney General Adam Laxalt, on Friday said the office does not comment on pending investigations.
Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or at 775-687-3901. Find her on Twitter at @SandraChereb.
