Inmates Seize Upon Disabled, Vulnerable Inmate in Polk County Jail, LIVINGSTON, December 5, 2024 - Polk County Jail Inmates Arrested for Exploiting and Assaulting Disabled Inmate. On November 11, 2024, Polk County Narcotics Detectives were alerted by the Polk County Jail Captain regarding the exploitation and physical assault of a disabled inmate by a group of other inmates. Following an extensive investigation, 14 felony warrants were issued for the arrest of the six individuals involved in this criminal scheme, which included an individual from outside the facility.
The investigation revealed that a group of inmates conspired to manipulate and financially exploit the disabled inmate. The inmates forced the victim to release personal property, including his debit card linked to his Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and disability funds, to an outside accomplice—one of the inmates' girlfriends—who was not incarcerated. This woman then drained the account, using the funds to make unauthorized purchases for herself and to place money into the commissary accounts of several inmates within the jail.
Additionally, the victim was coerced into providing his Personal Identification Number (PIN) for his commissary account. This was part of a larger scheme to control the disabled inmate's funds, including access to the jail phone system.
The following individuals are facing multiple charges in connection to this criminal activity:
1 Michael Allen Riggins
◦ Injury to Child/Elderly/Disabled (Felony 3)
◦ Exploitation of Child/Elderly/Disabled (Felony 3)
◦ Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (Felony 2)
2 David Clough
◦ Injury to Child/Elderly/Disabled (Felony 3)
◦ Exploitation of Child/Elderly/Disabled (Felony 3)
◦ Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (Felony 2)
3 Blake McCreight
◦ Injury to Child/Elderly/Disabled (Felony 3)
◦ Exploitation of Child/Elderly/Disabled (Felony 3)
◦ Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (Felony 2)
4 Trevon Mallard
◦ Exploitation of Child/Elderly/Disabled (Felony 3)
◦ Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (Felony 2)
5 Kenneth Lamar Lynch
◦ Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (Felony 2)
6 Carrie Jo Wilson
◦ Exploitation of Child/Elderly/Disabled (Felony 3)
◦ Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (Felony 2)
The Polk County Sheriff's Office is committed to protecting vulnerable individuals, and this case demonstrates the ongoing efforts to combat financial exploitation, especially of disabled persons within the prison system. These actions not only involved the illegal financial exploitation of a disabled individual but also an organized effort to control commissary funds and access to the jail's phone system.
The investigation into this matter is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming as more information is uncovered.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff Byron Lyons are dedicated to providing quality law enforcement services to the community, protecting its citizens, and holding offenders accountable for their actions.
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