December 16th, 2019
By News Director Jared Atha
Multiple charges were handed out recently after two inmates of the Beckham County Detention Center conspired and attacked authorities.
According to a probable cause affidavit, 30-year-old Preston Leroy Williams and 29-year-old Roger Kent Chase shared a cell together in the detention center. During a time when the inmates were allowed to use a phone, Williams allegedly grabbed an unsecured padlock from the jail cell door.
The document stated that detention staff became aware of the missing padlock and were aware that the inmates were in possession of it. Some time later on the same day officials that included a trooper from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, an officer from the Sayre Police Department, a deputy from the Beckham County Sheriff’s Department, and other detention center staff members planned to confront the inmates and retrieve the lock.
When the officers arrived to the cell they ordered the inmates to return the lock, however they refused. Once officers gained entry into the cell, they observed that Chase had tied the padlock to a sock and it appeared that he was planning to use it as a weapon. The other inmate, Williams, was arming himself with a fiberglass broom handle.
The affidavit stated that Chase charged the officer with the padlock and sock and allegedly hit an officer in the hand with it, fracturing his thumb. Chase was ultimately tased and placed in handcuffs, but not before he struck an officer with a closed fist.
During the incident, Williams allegedly struck another officer on the arm with the broom handle. Williams was tackled, but he was able to kick an officer in the face while he was being restrained.
The court document stated that after reviewing video tape of the incident, it could be seen that moments before the attack, both inmates appeared to be planning the attack.
Both Chase and Williams were charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a police officer, conspiracy, and bringing contraband into a penal institution.
Chase is due back in court on January 22nd. Williams returns to court before that, on January 8th.
