Four inmates pleaded guilty Thursday to various charges for their part in the deadly 2018 riot at Lee Correctional Institution.
Rahim F. Carter, 40, Tyrone Lewis Jr., 34, and Arsenio Donta C. Colclough, 36, all pleaded guilty to having contraband weapons during the riot. They were sentenced to three to five years and credited with time served.
Mike Smalls, 28, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and battery by mob and conspiracy. He was sentenced to 18 years and also got credit for time served.
All four lived in the same housing unit on the night of the riot.
Prison officials said smuggled in cell phones played a key role in fueling the melee the night of April 15, 2018, as inmates in rival gangs learned of growing violence in neighboring cell blocks and decided to join in.
“These inmates took part in violent mayhem fueled by contraband and illegal cellphones and are now being held accountable,” SCDC Director Bryan Stirling said. “This is just the beginning. We intend to prosecute everyone charged with crimes involving the Lee riot.”
By the time authorities regained control of the prison, seven inmates were dead and dozens injured.
All of the inmates in Thursday’s pleas are still incarcerated. Their new sentences will be incorporated into their existing ones.
