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Two charged with attempted murder for attack on jail deputy

Press Release is from the Wenatchee Police Department:

On May 1, Chelan County Regional Justice Center staff reported an assault by two inmates on a corrections deputy inside the jail. Wenatchee Police responded as the agency of jurisdiction. Corrections staff had already isolated the suspect inmates prior to WPD arrival.

Officers learned a corrections deputy had been knocked to the floor and repeatedly struck with improvised weapons while also being kicked and hit. A second corrections deputy stopped the assault. The improvised weapons used in the assault were recovered almost immediately. They were made of materials from inside the jail and did not appear to be the result of contraband being introduced into the facility.

Through investigation and review of available surveillance video in the jail, it was determined that Benito E. Licea, 24, of Wenatchee started the assault by striking the corrections deputy and knocking him to the floor and then continuing to attack him. Javier Valdez, 28, of East Wenatchee immediately joined the attack and began striking the corrections deputy in the area of his head with stabbing motions. Licea and Valdez could be seen on camera talking to each other shortly before the assault.

The corrections deputy suffered several puncture wounds and lacerations to his head, neck, arm, and hand. He was treated and released at Central Washington Hospital.

Licea and Valdez were arrested for Attempted Aggravated Murder 1st Degree, Prison Riot, and Weapons Possession by Prisoner. They remain in custody at Chelan County Regional Justice Center.

The point of contact for this press release is Captain Edgar Reinfeld of the Wenatchee Police Department.

Last Updated: 05/15/2023 08:49 AM

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