Three jail guards have been arrested for their alleged connection to the death of Michael James Tyree, a homeless, mentally ill inmate, in Santa Clara County, Calif.
Tyree died on Aug. 27 of injuries stemming from multiple force trauma. The three suspected guards: Jereh Lubrin, Matthew Faris and Rafael Rodriguez radioed that they had found Tyree in his cell unresponsive, naked and covered in feces, Sheriff Laurie Smith said, according to the Los Angeles Times.
However the nature of the injuries caused them to come under suspicion, which eventually led to their arrests.
The incident allegedly occurred while Tyree and other inmates in the wing were locked in their cells last Thursday, as the officers were conducting a routine clothing search, reported the Christian Science Monitor.
According to reports, about an hour after the officers left the wing, one of the three men re-entered Tyree's cell and issued a "man down" call. Paramedics arrived on the scene to find the inmate naked and covered in feces and vomit, and declared him dead.
Tyree was being held on misdemeanor drug and theft charges, and the wing he was housed on was meant for those who needed protective custody or have special needs, reported San Jose Mercury News. He was serving a 5-day sentence and was waiting to be transferred to a mental health facility.
In light of the incident, the three deputies are being held without bail on suspicion of murder, conspiracy and assault under the color of authority.
"It pains me and every member of the sheriff's office and every member within our law enforcement because those who are sworn to protect and serve lose their moral compass and commit heinous acts," Smith said.
