Guards in three towers at the U.S. Penitentiary in Florence fired every round of lethal and nonlethal ammunition at their disposal to stop a riot that began there five months ago when a white-supremacist prison gang taunted black inmates on Adolf Hitler’s birthday.
Two inmates died that day, Brian Scott Kubik, 40, who was white, and Phillip Lee Hooker, 41, who was black.
Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman Felicia Ponce said the investigation into the incident is not complete.
Inmate Frank Sims, who was housed at Florence on the day of the riot, but now imprisoned at a federal facility in Louisiana, has received an incident report that says he could face charges related to the riot.
The incident report says Sims could face charges of killing an accomplice, assault, rioting and refusing an order.
Five other inmates are listed on the incident report as participating in the riot by forcing their way out of the food service – injuring a staff member in the process – and making their way to the recreation yard where the riot started.
In all, there were 200 inmates involved in the fight that lasted nearly half an hour.
Jeffrey Dorschner, spokesman for the Colorado U.S. Attorney, said he could not comment on whether charges are going to be filed against the inmates, citing the ongoing criminal investigation.
Ponce said the Bureau of Prisons won’t disclose whether there is going to be any administrative or disciplinary action against guards and staffers with regard to the incident.
Felisa Cardona: 303-954-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com
