Dinwiddie charges Henrico deputies with murder of man in their custody at Central State Hospital

Bill Atkinson, The Progress-Index
Updated ·2 min read

DINWIDDIE – Seven Henrico County sheriff’s deputies have been arrested on murder charges in the death earlier this month of a Henrico County man they restrained after he reportedly began violently struggling while being admitted to Central State Hospital.

Dinwiddie Commonwealth’s Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill said each of the seven is facing one count of second-degree murder. All are being held without bond at the Meherrin River Regional Jail.

The seven employees are

  • Randy Joseph Boyer, 57, of Henrico;

  • Dwayne Alan Bramble, 37, of Sandston;

  • Jermaine Lavar Branch, 45, of Henrico;

  • Bradley Thomas Disse, 43, of Henrico;

  • Tabitha Rene Levere, 50, of Henrico;

  • Brandon Edward Rodgers, 48, of Henrico; and

  • Kalyell Dajour Sanders, 30, of Chesterfield County.

They are charged in the March 6 death of Irvo Otieno, 28, of Henrico. Otieno was brought to CSH by Henrico deputies in the afternoon, and according to reports, he became combative during admittance and was put in restraints. He later died at the hospital.

“Mr. Otieno’s family was notified by my office this morning of these charges and I will continue to work with and for his family in relation to pursuing this case to its fullest extent,” Baskervill said in a statement released by her office.

The Virginia State Police is leading the criminal investigation of the case and were responsible for arresting the deputies, VSP spokesperson Corinne Geller said. No other details of the investigation or the circumstances surrounding Otieno's death are being released.

More: Governor, police union weigh in on deputies' arrests following death at Central State Hospital

In a statement, Henrico Sheriff Alisa Gregory said all seven deputies have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the cases. Gregory said her office was conducting its own investigation into the incident separately from the state police probe, but also is "cooperating fully" with the state police.

"As Henrico County Sheriff and on behalf of our entire office, I extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Irvo Otieno," Gregory said in the statement. "The events of March 6, at their core, represent a tragedy because Mr. Otieno's life was lost.  This loss is felt by not only those close to him but our entire community."

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on Twitter at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Seven Virginia deputies charged in death of patient at mental hospital