Texas Prison Guards Charged After Inmate Dies in Burning Cell as They ‘Refused to Help in Any Way’
AMARILLO, TX – Two Texas prison guards have been arrested and charged after allegedly refusing to help an inmate who was trapped inside a burning cell.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) confirmed that Sgt. Crystal Janelle West and Lt. William Eugene Romero were taken into custody over the weekend for their alleged roles in the inmate’s death at the William P. Clements Unit, a maximum-security prison in Amarillo.
Fire Ignites in Inmate’s Cell
According to officials, the fatal incident occurred around 3:18 a.m. Sunday when staff discovered a fire inside an inmate’s cell. The prisoner had reportedly set his mattress on fire, filling the cell with smoke.
When officers arrived, the inmate became unresponsive, and despite the visible flames, both guards allegedly refused to let him out. The man was pronounced dead less than an hour later.
In a statement, the TDCJ confirmed that both officers were arrested “for their role in the failure to render aid.” The department added:
“The agency is working closely with the Office of the Inspector General and the Special Prosecution Unit so that those staff who allegedly failed to act will be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Guards Ignored Pleas for Help
According to a local CBS report, an anonymous insider provided chilling new details. The source said the inmate was housed in the prison’s extended cell block, which is the facility’s highest security level.
When the fire began, the inmate was ordered to place his hands through the food tray slot so he could be restrained, but he refused. Guards then called for help from West, their supervisor, who went to Lt. Romero for guidance.
Romero allegedly told her not to open the slot or the cell door, saying, “It’s just gonna stay shut. We’re not opening it. It’s a safety risk.”
“She Refused to Help in Any Way”
The insider claimed that about an hour later, West returned to the cell and saw smoke billowing through the 8-by-10 cell’s food tray opening. She reportedly opened the slot briefly, saw the fire still burning, then walked away.
“She told the inmate she would not pull him out of the cell, she wouldn’t open the door,” the source said.
“She refused to help in any way.”
By the time other staff members entered the cell, the inmate was already dead from smoke inhalation and burns.
Criminal Charges Filed
Authorities confirmed that West was charged with manslaughter, a second-degree felony, while Romero faces criminally negligent homicide, a state jail felony. Both have since been fired from the department.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Potter County jail records showed West being held on a $200,000 bond and Romero on a $150,000 bond. Their court dates have not yet been announced.
Public Reaction
The disturbing case has prompted widespread outrage, with many calling it an example of gross negligence and inhumanity inside the Texas prison system. Civil rights advocates have also renewed calls for increased oversight of correctional staff and mandatory emergency response training in state prisons.
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