The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is investigating the killing of an inmate at Soledad Valley State Prison. The victim, Cory J. Benton, was stabbed multiple times and died on the way to the hospital. Three suspects, all serving life sentences, have been identified.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is currently conducting an investigation into the tragic killing of an inmate at Soledad Valley State Prison. The inmate, Cory J. Benton, 40, was reportedly attacked with an “inmate-manufactured weapon” and stabbed multiple times. He succumbed to his injuries while being transported to an outside hospital.
Authorities have identified the suspects in the case as Alberto T. Valades, Jose L. Valle, and Jimmy M. Martinez. All three individuals are currently serving life sentences. Valle and Martinez were previously convicted of murder, while Valades was convicted of second-degree robbery. As a result of the incident, the three men have been relocated to restricted housing pending the completion of the investigation.
Benton had been incarcerated at Soledad Valley State Prison since 2012. He was serving a 25-year sentence for assault with a deadly weapon, assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, and gang enhancements. These charges stemmed from a fight that took place at a party in Santa Maria on February 14, 2010.
The CDCR is taking this incident seriously and is committed to thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding Benton’s death. The use of inmate-manufactured weapons is a concerning issue within correctional facilities and poses a significant risk to both inmates and staff members. Efforts to prevent such incidents and improve safety measures within prisons will likely be a focus of the investigation.
Incidents like this highlight the challenges faced by correctional institutions in maintaining the safety and security of inmates. The CDCR continues to work towards implementing measures to prevent violence and ensure the well-being of those within its facilities. The outcome of the investigation will determine any necessary actions to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future..