More out on attacks on inmate; jailer charged in case resigns

The Pulaski County sheriff's office Friday released new details on two recent attacks on an inmate, a day after a jail officer facing criminal charges in connection with the beatings resigned.

According to sheriff's office reports, jailer Robert Phillips, 27, had been in an argument with inmate Andrew Wayne Cash, 24, before he allowed two other inmates to beat Cash in his cell March 28. Phillips did not report the attack.

Additionally, Phillips was "complicit in the attack," in which Cash suffered minor injuries, "by allowing three inmates to be out of their assigned places."

The sheriff's office identified Cash's attackers as Ruben Charles Gregory, 22, a felon with a history of mental illness, and Charles Edward McDowell, 23, a repeat felon convicted in February of robbing a man at gunpoint.

In the second attack, which the sheriff's office said was committed by Gregory on April 6, Cash was beaten unconscious and suffered multiple lacerations, contusions and abrasions.

Phillips was "complicit in the attack by failing to protect Inmate Cash, failing to identify the suspect following the attack and making false statements to investigators," a report states.

The sheriff's office arrested Phillips on Wednesday afternoon on two counts of abuse of office, a misdemeanor. He was released from jail after posting bond and had been on administrative leave with pay, pending a disciplinary hearing, when he submitted a brief letter of resignation Thursday.

"Respectfully Resign my position," the letter states.

Phillips was hired Dec. 2, 2013. Further details of his employment weren't immediately available.

He faces a May 19 court date in Pulaski County District Court.

Cash's accused attackers were both charged with third-degree battery Thursday. Gregory, of 32 W. 21st St. in Little Rock, faces two counts. McDowell, of 9510 Hilaro Springs Road in Little Rock, faces one.

Sheriff's office spokesman Capt. Carl Minden said no more arrests were expected in the two attacks, and he did not know details of the argument that reportedly led Phillips to allow the beatings.

Cash had been in jail on his first felony charges, three counts of first-degree assault, after purportedly ramming another vehicle in North Little Rock.

He posted $25,000 bond and was released Friday afternoon.

He also has misdemeanor convictions for failure to appear, failure to pay and possession of drug paraphernalia.

His accused attackers have been found guilty of more serious offenses.

McDowell has been convicted of numerous crimes including aggravated robbery and felony drug and firearm charges.

Additionally, in February he was convicted of furnishing prohibited articles, a felony, after jailers found a cellphone, pills and a lighter in his bunk.

The offense earned McDowell, also known as "Buck," a stint in administrative segregation. He was placed in the jail's R unit afterward, where Gregory and Cash would later join him.

Gregory, also known as "Pocketknife," was locked up in September after being charged with aggravated assault against a family or household member. Details of that arrest were unavailable.

Gregory was convicted of first-degree criminal mischief, a felony, in 2013.

The previous year, the Pulaski County Circuit Court ordered him committed to a mental health treatment facility as he was "a clear and present danger to himself and/or others."

In a petition to commit, Dr. Brian Hyatt of CHI St. Vincent Infirmary wrote that Gregory was "remarkably psychotic and catatonic" and "very paranoid."

In 2010, Gregory's mother petitioned the court for guardianship of her then-18-year-old son, claiming he was mentally retarded. The petition was later dismissed.

Gregory and McDowell were moved to separate units after the attacks against Cash, according to Minden. They remained in jail Friday.

The arrest of Phillips is the second of a jail officer in the past three weeks.

Demon Tate was arrested March 28 in connection with contraband reportedly smuggled into the lockup.

He has pleaded innocent to charges of possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia and three counts of furnishing prohibited articles.

Tate was fired March 31 after an internal hearing.

Metro on 04/18/2015

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