Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia stated, “While incarcerated at the Erie County Holding Center, Bilal Wright assaulted Deputies and other incarcerated individuals. He threw punches at my Deputies several times, causing injuries and hospitalization. Wright also delivered an unprovoked head-butt to the face of an incarcerated individual at the holding center.”
“Wright’s guilty pleas and potential sentences totaling 28 years in state prison will protect our community from this violent felon. However, I believe his conduct will continue for the foreseeable future while incarcerated in a state prison. Unfortunately, prison administrators have few options to discipline him and to keep the facility safe since the HALT act was implemented.”
“The Erie County Holding Center and our community will be safer when Wright is transferred out of my custody, but the problems will continue for the next 28 years, just in a different facility.”
Wright’s incident while held at the Erie County Holding Center:
1. Wright requested toilet paper. Deputy Timm placed the toilet paper roll on the bars of Wright’s cell and turned to walk away. Wright threw a punch through the bars, striking Deputy Timm in the left side of the face.
2. Deputy Rezabek was speaking to Wright about the housing unit’s television. Wright became agitated and disruptive and was ordered to lock into his cell by Deputy Rezabek. While being escorted to his cell, Wright took an aggressive stance, and Deputy Rezabek ordered him to lock into his cell, or OC spray would be deployed. Following the warning, he secured himself in his cell.
3. Deputy Hubbard ordered Wright to lock into his housing unit. He became upset, asking what time it was, and refused to lock into his housing unit. Deputy Hubbard again ordered Wright to lock into his housing unit and attempted to escort him. Wright swung a closed fist at Deputy Hubbard, immediately retreated to his housing unit, and locked in.
4. Wright was ordered to face the back wall of his housing unit so Deputy Mallia and Deputy O’Neill could apply mechanical restraints. Wright feigned compliance with the order, then turned and swung a closed fist at Deputy Mallia, striking him in the left side of the face and knocking him unconscious.
5. Wright was being escorted to recreation with another incarcerated individual. Both individuals had their hands restrained behind their backs with mechanical restraints. While in the elevator, Wright delivered an unprovoked head-butt to the head and face of the other incarcerated individual.
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