By Jeff Reinitz
Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa
WATERLOO, Iowa — Deputies have charged six inmates in connection with a riot at the Black Hawk County Jail on Tuesday.
“This is the first time we’ve had anything of this magnitude in my 32 years at the Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Nathan Neff. “It’s a stark reminder of how quickly things can become volatile in a jail setting. That’s what makes this profession so stressful; security staff must always be on alert because even the most mundane shift can turn violent in a heartbeat.”
According to the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, inmates flooded A-Pod – which houses some of the highest security offenders – around 5 p.m. The water seeped into other areas of the jail, causing more than $1,500 in damage, according to the sheriff’s office.
The incident started when jail staff instructed inmates to lockdown in their cells because of disruptive behavior. The group refused to go to their cells, and staff used a pepper spray fogger in the pod’s day room.
That’s when the inmates covered security cameras, damaged fire sprinkler heads and clogged toilets, according to court records. They continued to refuse to return to their cells and used mattresses, blankets, a garbage can and a laundry cart to form barricades.
The standoff ended when deputies with the office’s tactical team used less-lethal munitions, Tasers and physical force to subdue the inmates.
The sheriff’s office said no inmates or staff were injured.
Those charged with felony rioting, second-degree criminal mischief and interference include Damontre Tairice Burt, 34; William Rashad Burt , 32; London Willis Walker , 32; Treshundas Kentrelle Redd, 23; Zavyon Brian Nix, 28; and Asa Louis Crawford , 20.
Walker, who is awaiting trial for felony domestic abuse, is also accused of biting his tongue and spiting blood on a deputy in March 2026 .
Redd is awaiting trial for misdemeanor domestic abuse and a probation violation in a 2023 firearm conviction.
Nix is awaiting trial for a June firearm charge.
Crawford is awaiting a hearing for a probation violation in a 2023 business burglary case.
Damontre Burt is awaiting a probation violation hearing in a 2024 home burglary case.
William Burt is awaiting trial for a misdemeanor charge of possessing a prescription drug.
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