KINGMAN– An inmate from the state prison in Golden Valley has pled guilty to aggravated assault charges for scuffling with corrections officers at Kingman Regional Medical Center (KRMC). Robert Craft, 31, was transported to the hospital on April 21, 2018 because he was behaving erratically in a recreation area of the prison after he ingested methamphetamine and smoked spice.
Corrections officer Ericka Escobedo told criminal investigator Mark Banks that Craft was behaving like a zombie. Escobedo said that Craft was “being aggressive and stating he was going to eat someone’s face.”
“Since Craft refused to walk, they escorted him to the ground at which time Craft began eating the dirt, sand and rocks and making statements about being the Lord’s soldier,” Banks’ incident report stated. Sgt. Harry Jewett, Officer Cory Brooks and Escobedo rushed Craft to the hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Craft took control of Jewett’s revolver in an area of the KRMC emergency room as the sergeant attempted to loosen handcuffs that were too tight around Craft’s wrists.
“As Jewett was in the process of loosening the cuffs, Craft grabbed Jewett’s gun from its holster,” Banks report said. “A struggle ensued between Craft, Jewett and Officer Brooks. During the struggle Jewett was able to retrieve possession of the gun without a round being discharged.”
Banks said that the barrel of the gun was pointed at each of the three officers during the struggle and that Brooks made certain the weapon did not discharge.
“He placed his hand in and around the trigger guard so that no rounds could be fired,” Banks said of Brooks. “He also intentionally released the magazine from the gun to eliminate the inmate from having access to additional ammunition.”
Craft had been serving time on an assault conviction out of Maricopa County and he was set to be released on Feb. 18. Craft pled guilty to two more aggravated assault counts for the hospital scuffle during a Feb. 8 hearing.
Craft will be given a 10.5 year prison term when sentenced March 13.
– Dave Hawkins
