BY SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON -- Five prisoners serving time in Warren County have been indicted for alleged acts of violence behind bars, ranging from assaulting guards to setting fires.
The indictments, announced Tuesday by Warren County Prosecutor Tim Oliver, stem from actions in the Lebanon Correctional Institution (LCI) and the Warren Correctional Institution (WCI) from January to May.
Mr. Oliver said he does not think the indictments reflect an increase in crime among the inmates, just more aggressive prosecution.
The five cases:
Antonio Miller became upset with a cellmate at WCI on Jan. 10 and allegedly set his own clothing on fire, Mr. Oliver said.
Mr. Miller, 25, of Cincinnati, then set his mattress on fire, causing several cells to be evacuated, Mr. Oliver said. When a corrections officer entered Mr. Miller's cell block, he bit the officer on the arm.
Mr. Miller received minor burns.
Mr. Miller, already serving time for drug abuse and weapons violations, was charged Tuesday with aggravated arson, arson and assault.
In February at WCI, Eddie McCain, 29, allegedly attacked an inmate who had just emerged from segregation after fighting with a friend of Mr. McCain's, Mr. Oliver said.
Mr. McCain is charged with stabbing the inmate in the back with a piece of sharpened plexiglass. The man was not seriously injured, the prosecutor said.
Mr. McCain, of Dayton, already was serving a life sentence for aggravated murder when he was hit with the recent charges of felonious assault, possession of a deadly weapon while under detention and attempted felonious assault.
Steven Fetters, 43, was charged with harassment by an inmate for allegedly spitting on a corrections officer April 22 and again May 2 at LCI. Mr. Fetters, of Franklin County, was serving three to 15 years for aggravated burglary.
Raphael Cloud, 22, was charged with harassment by an inmate for allegedly spitting on two corrections officers April 27 at LCI. Mr. Cloud, of Cuyahoga County, was serving 10 to 25 years for breaking and entering and involuntary manslaughter.
Anthony Thomas, 42, was charged with assault for allegedly smashing a corrections officer's head against a door frame at LCI on May 10 after refusing to cooperate with guards who suspected him of hiding marijuana.
The assault forced the guard to miss eight days of work. Mr. Thomas was already serving up to 25 years in prison for attempted murder and assault.
