11 detainees charged after October riot at jail

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced Tuesday that 11 detainees at the county detention center were charged with gang-related rioting after an incident at the end of October.

The inmates were “responsible for inciting a riot inside one of the dormitories” Oct. 24, Lott said in a news release. Video surveillance captured those involved throwing chairs and dinner trays and refusing the commands of center staff to “cease the unlawful acts,” Lott said.

Although no injuries were reported, authorities said the fight caused a major disruption at the jail.

One of those charged, Geovani Solorzano, 22, was transferred to the South Carolina Department of Corrections and was being held at the Kirkland Correctional facility.

The others, ranging in age from 19 to 26, will continue to be housed at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. They are: Willie Robinson, 19; Jackie Brown, 25; Michael Dennis, 18; Donald Benson Jr., 27; Rockardo Thompson, 24; Edward Kirk, 20; Xavier Brannon, 24 ; Ronald Felder, 19; Jaquel Sumter, 22; Bermonte Gilmore, 23.

Under state law, an inmate convicted of participating in a riot in jail faces five to 10 years in prison.

Investigators say there could be more charges or arrests.

The jail is sued to house people awaiting trial or serving short sentences.

The Associated Press contributed.

This story was originally published December 8, 2015 at 5:11 PM with the headline "11 detainees charged after October riot at jail."