By Andy Hoffman
The Hawk Eye, Burlington, Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa — Three convicted felons are facing attempted murder charges in the brutal attack on two correctional officers at the Des Moines County jail.
Jorge Sanders-Galvez, 23, Earl Booth-Harris, 24, and Bobby Joe Morris, 27, each were charged Monday in Des Moines County District Court with attempted murder and assault on a corrections officer with intent to inflict serious injury, according to Des Moines County Attorney Amy Beavers.
If convicted of the charges, the men each face up to 30 years in prison.
The convicts were charged with attacking the correctional officer about 4 p.m. Dec. 10 after the officer discovered someone was making “hooch” inside one of the maximum cells. The officers were attacked by the three inmates as they were attempting to investigate the situation.
The male guard, whose name has not been released, suffered multiple facial fractures that will require surgery to repair. He has been released from Great River Medical Center, where he spent two days following the attack.
The female officer also was taken to the medical center in West Burlington where she was treated and released for a concussion and laceration to the back of the head.
On Monday, two of the defendants, Sanders-Galvez and Booth-Harris, each were sentenced to mandatory terms of life in prison without parole on first-degree murder convictions in unrelated killings in Burlington within the past three years.
Sanders-Galvez was sentenced to life in prison without parole by District Judge Mary Ann Brown after he was convicted several weeks ago of first-degree murder in the March 2016 killing of Kedarie Johnson, a 16-year-old gender fluid Burlington High School student.
Booth-Harris also was sentenced sentenced Monday to life in prison without parole by District Judge John Linn for his first-degree murder conviction in the killing Deonte “Tae Tae” Carter, 24, in February 2015.
Morris was recently sentenced to 25 years in prison for a series of home invasions and other armed robberies in which he targeted mostly Hispanic employees, who were working at the fertilizer plant in Wever that was under construction at the time of the robberies.
Both Sanders-Galvez and Booth-Harris have been held in the state penitentiary in Fort Madison since the attack on the correctional officer. Morris was transported to the Iowa Medical Classification Center in Oakdale. It is not known when he will return to Des Moines County to face the charges.
According to documents unsealed Monday, the attack occurred when the officers suspected contraband inside the male maximum security unit at the jail.
The “male max” area consists of a group of six individual cells on two levels with a common area with a table and benches, court records state.
“The correctional officer observed inmates in this unit congregated at an inmate’s cell holding cups of liquid,” court records state. “The correctional officer located homemade alcohol in the inmate’s cell and the unit was placed on ‘lockdown.’”
The correctional officers were in the process of moving the inmates out of “male max” to another secure location in the jail so the area could be search for additional contraband.
“As the correction officer was standing inside the ‘male max’ unit, Booth-Harris rushes at him from the side and begins punching him in the face and head,” court records state. “As soon as Booth-Harris swings his first punch, Sanders-Galvez and Morris rush to the attack location ... and Sanders-Galvez begins punching the officer in the face and head.
“The officer attempts to exit the unit, but is stopped by Sanders-Galvez, who has wrapped his hands around the officer’s waist to prevent his escape. Booth-Harris continues to strike the officer.”
The two inmates force the officer to the ground where they immediately begin to “kick and stomp” on the officer’s head.
The female officer attempted to assist the first officer, but was held back by Morris.
“She continues to try to help the other officer, but is pushed backwards by Booth-Harris causing her to strike the back of head on the concrete floor,” court records state. “She then radios for more help ... Booth-Harris then positions himself over the (male) corrections officer and begins to deliver six foot-stomps to the back and side of the officer’s head as Sanders-Galvez continues to strike him in the face and head.”
As the male officer again attempts to escape the attack, Sanders-Galvez approaches the officer from behind and puts him in a “choke hold.” Booth-Harris continues to strike the officer in the face and head.
“It is clear that Sanders-Galvez, Booth-Harris and Morris intended to keep the officer in the unit so they can continue the attack,” court records state.
During the entire attack, Morris continued his attempt to keep other officers from reaching the injured officer, who is still trapped inside the maximum unit.
“As the attack continues, the officer can be seen losing consciousness two times and the second loss of consciousness lasts for two minutes,” court records state. “Sanders-Galvez and Booth-Harris continue the attack on the officer by kicking him and striking him in the head after he had lost consciousness ... The officer was clearly defenseless while unconscious.”
At that point, another officer, armed with a Taser, enters the unit, court records states. At that point, the attack ends and the three inmates return to their cells.
“The three inmates then begin to clap their hands, dance and hand slap (each other) in celebration of the attack,” court records state.
According to court records, the injured officer regained consciousness and was able to leave the cell under his own power. However, he immediately collapsed onto the floor outside the unit.
During a subsequent interview with investigators, the injured officer told them he “believed during the attack that Sanders-Galvez and Booth-Harris intended to kill him.”
©2017 The Hawk Eye (Burlington, Iowa)