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Monroe Correctional Sergeant Collects Funds from
Assaultive Inmate
On March 21st 2007 Sergeant Ronny Pempeit was attacked by
Inmate Steven Smith at the Monroe Correctional Complex
Special Offender Center. Due to his injuries Ronny required
surgery and was off of work for several months. With the
help of the Washington Staff Assault task Force a lawsuit
was filed in Snohomish County District Court.
In March of last year Sgt. Pempeit was awarded a judgment of
$5,029.00 for his assault. With the assistance of the WSATF
and their staff attorney, Ronny got paid. The Department of
Corrections froze Inmate Smith’s entire bank account with
the exception of $10.00 so that he would not be considered
indigent. DOC then issued a check to the sergeant for the
balance of the inmate’s account.
Since our first civil lawsuit against an inmate went to
trial last year, the WSATF has helped eighteen staff members
to file and win cases in five different counties.
County prosecutors may not be filing charges against inmates
who assault staff members; the Washington Staff Assault Task
Force does.
Swift Justice
● On January 16, 2009 a Walla
Walla County Judge ordered that an inmate incarcerated at
the Washington State Penitentiary pay $4,032.40 to a
Correctional Sergeant that he assaulted 10 weeks earlier.
● On March 13, 2009 a Judge in
Snohomish County ordered that two inmates pay over $5000.00
in judgments to two Monroe Correctional Staff who were
assaulted in different incidents.
● The WSATF has lawsuits that are currently filed in Spokane,
Walla Walla and Snohomish counties.
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