Nine Green Hill School inmates face prison riot charges

Emily Fitzgerald, The Chronicle, Centralia, Wash.
·2 min read

Dec. 5—Nine Green Hill School inmates are facing felony prison riot charges in Lewis County Superior Court for allegedly taking part in a fight that broke out on school grounds in Chehalis on Sept. 12.

According to court documents, a group of inmates was being escorted to another area of Green Hill School, a juvenile detention facility, when "the group was approached by others and a fight broke out."

Prosecutors and investigators did not disclose information in court documents about the motives for the fight or whether anyone was injured.

Of the 12 Green Hill inmates identified in court documents, nine were charged Nov. 8-9 with one count of prison riot, which is a class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The inmates facing charges are: Chauncey Ramos, 18; Jonvian Jerome Walker, 19; Curaun S. Kercheval, 18; Tayvius A. Samson, 19; Myshaun O. Coleman, 18; Lajaeveon M. Simon, 19; Elijah J. J. Vaughn, 20; and Jacksen D. Wickwire, 18.

Walker, Kercheval, Ramos and Samson had preliminary hearings in Lewis County Superior Court scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 5. Coleman, Simon, Vaughn, Wickwire and Young had preliminary hearings scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 6.

The case marks the fifth Green Hill prison riot that has been charged in Lewis County Superior Court this year.

A group of four inmates allegedly beat up another inmate at the facility while medications were being dispensed on April 26. A group of four inmates allegedly beat up another inmate in a gang-related attack inside the facility on May 12. A group of four inmates allegedly attacked two other inmates and a staff member at the facility on either June 14 or Aug. 2. A group of six inmates allegedly participated in a "standoff" with facility staff in August.

At least two incidents have been tied to gang activity within the facility, according to previous Chronicle reporting.