UPDATE: DOJ: 18 inmates charged in 2017 prison riot in Smyrna

Eighteen inmates are facing multiple charges including murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy, after officials say a February 2017 incident resulted in the the death of a correctional officer, in Smyrna.

The Delaware Department of Justice says on Monday, 18 individuals were indicted in connection with the February 2017 incident that happened at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, in Smyrna. Officials say 16 individuals are charged with first degree murder. The incident apparently resulted in the death of Lieutenant Steven Floyd, injuries to Correctional Officers Winslow Smith and Joshua Wilkinson, and the kidnapping of counselor Patricia May. The indictments came from a New Castle County Grand Jury and were initially sealed by the court.

According to the Delaware DOJ, the following 16 individuals have been charged with three counts of murder first degree (intentional murder, felony murder, and recklessly causing death of a correctional officer); two counts of assault first degree (a count each regarding C.O. Smith and C. O. Wilkinson); four counts of kidnapping first degree (a count each for Lt. Floyd, C.O. Smith, C.O. Wilkinson and counselor May); one count of riot; and one count of conspiracy second degree (for conspiring to commit Riot):

1. Jarreau Ayers, age 36 – currently serving a life sentence for Murder 1st Degree and other charges
2. Abednego Baynes, age 25 – currently serving 18 years for Murder 2nd Degree
3. Kevin Berry, age 27 – currently serving 14 years for three counts of Robbery 1st Degree and other charges
4. John Bramble, age 28 – currently serving 40 years for Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Assault Second Degree, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Possession of Ammunition by a Person Prohibited, and Home invasion
5. Abdul-Haqq El-Qadeer, aka Louis Sierra, age 31 – currently serving a life sentence for Murder 1st Degree
6. Deric Forney, age 28 – currently serving 11 years for Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm By a Person Prohibited and drug charges
7. Kelly Gibbs, age 29 – currently serving 24 years 9 month sentence for Murder 2nd Degree
8. Robert Hernandez, age 36 – an inmate from New Mexico serving a 16-year sentence for Murder 2nd Degree in that state
9. Janiis Mathis, age 25 – currently serving 15 years for Assault 2nd Degree and other charges
10. Lawrence Michaels, age 31 – currently serving 19 years for Kidnapping 1st Degree, Attempted Robbery 1st Degree, Possession of a Firearm during Commission of a Felony and other charges
11. Obadiah Miller, age 25 – currently serving 10 years for Manslaughter and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
12. Jonatan Rodriguez, age 25 – currently serving 40 years for Manslaughter and other charges
13. Alejandro Rodriguez-Ortiz, age 27 – currently serving 40 years for Manslaughter and other charges
14. Roman Shankaras, age 30 – currently serving 7 years for Riot and two counts of Robbery 1st
15. Corey Smith, age 32 – currently serving 14 years for a Violation of Probation for Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited, Violation of Probation for Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, Attempted Robbery First Degree, Assault Second Degree, Promoting Prison Contraband
16. Dwayne Staats, age 35 – currently serving a life sentence for Murder 1st Degree

Officials say the following two individuals were charged with four counts of Kidnapping first degree (a count each for Lt. Floyd, C.O. Smith, C.O. Wilkinson and counselor May); one count of riot; and one count of conspiracy second degree (for conspiring to commit Riot):

1. Pedro Chairez, age 42 – an inmate from Arizona serving a 43-year sentence for Murder 2nd and other charges committed in that state
2. Royal Downs, age 52 – an inmate from Maryland serving a life sentence for Murder 1st Degree and other charges committed in that state

In reference to the investigation, Attorney General Matt Denn says, "This was an extremely important and time-consuming investigation that involved unique challenges. I appreciate the police and prosecutors' focus on ensuring that justice is done for the victims in this case and their families."

Attorney General Denn thanked Delaware State Police Sergeant David Weaver, Deputy Attorneys General John Downs, Brian Robertson and Nichole Warner, the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit, Delaware State Police Criminal Investigation Units, the Delaware State Police Evidence Detection Units, and the Delaware Department of Correction for their work which resulted in the indictment.

Delaware Governor John Carney says, "It is my hope that the indictments announced on Tuesday will be a step toward justice for Lieutenant Floyd and provide some measure of peace for his family, and all of the victims of the events on February 1 and February 2. As we have said since February, we will remain focused on taking action necessary to improve safety and security inside James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, and across Delaware's correctional facilities."

DOJ officials report that this investigation is ongoing and no further comment will be made at this time regarding the indictments.