Nevada prison leaders point to ‘drug debt’ after string of deadly violence
Four inmates killed in separate incidents at Las Vegas-area facilities within one month
Nevada prison officials are scrambling to address a surge in deadly violence after four inmates were killed in separate homicides at two Las Vegas-area prisons within the past month, with authorities pointing to drug debts as a driving factor behind the killings.
The Nevada Department of Corrections confirmed Tuesday that it is investigating the deaths as homicides and has placed both High Desert State Prison and Southern Desert Correctional Center on modified operations as officials work to stem the violence.
The victims and timeline
The string of killings began July 16 when Jacob Herman, 35, died at High Desert State Prison. Herman was serving a 12 to 36-month sentence for larceny from a person and had been in custody since May 2024.
Ten days later, on July 26, Jordan Canteberry, 34, was stabbed to death at the same facility. The Clark County coroner determined he died from multiple stab wounds. Canteberry was serving 12 to 30 months for robbery and possession of a firearm by an ex-felon, having arrived at the prison just weeks earlier in June.
The violence continued on August 6 when D’marea Wallace, 18, became the third victim at High Desert. The coroner’s office confirmed he also died from multiple stab wounds. Wallace had been serving a three-to-eight-year sentence for robbery since December 2023.
The most recent death occurred Monday at Southern Desert Correctional Center, where Ryan Warren-Hunt, 35, was killed. Warren-Hunt, also known as Anthony Warren-Hunt, had been serving a 16 to 75-year sentence since April 2020 for burglary with a firearm and multiple armed robberies in Clark County.
Security breaches and systemic issues
Sources told investigators that in at least one case, inmates had tampered with their cell doors to escape before attacking Canteberry, highlighting serious security vulnerabilities at the facilities.
Infrastructure problems have plagued both prisons, including faulty cell door locks and a lack of air conditioning. These issues have persisted despite High Desert’s transition from a medium to maximum-security facility last year, when it received 2,000 inmates, including Nevada’s death row population, from Ely State Prison.
Drug debt and contraband crisis
Nevada Department of Corrections Director James Dzurenda acknowledged that drug debt appears to be a significant factor in the killings, revealing a broader crisis of contraband entering the prison system.
“We can’t rely on our traditional operational plans alone,” Dzurenda said in a statement. “We have to do something that’s unique. We need to get creative in bringing in different perspectives and attack this problem from all angles. This is a top priority.”
Prison officials previously identified mail as one method by which illegal substances enter the facilities. The department is now consulting outside experts to develop strategies for curtailing the influx of contraband and drugs.
Emergency response measures
Both prisons have been placed on modified operations, which includes:
- Increased surveillance throughout the facilities
- Adjusted staffing patterns to limit the number of inmates outside cells simultaneously
- Enhanced monitoring of common areas
- Review of classification and housing procedures
The department is also forming committees comprised of former offenders, researchers, advocates, and IT experts to address the violence and drug problems. Dzurenda has directed wardens at both facilities to engage directly with inmates about the issues.
Additional death under investigation
A fifth inmate death at High Desert State Prison is also under scrutiny. Ronnie Owens, 32, died Friday, with sources indicating it was another homicide. However, the department is currently categorizing his death as an overdose pending further investigation. Owens was serving six to 29 years for robbery with use of a deadly weapon and possession of stolen property.
Critics raise concerns about inmate placement
The recent violence has renewed criticism about housing decisions within the prison system. Critics question whether lower-level offenders are being inappropriately placed with high-level, violent criminals, potentially putting them at greater risk.
The department says it is reviewing standard procedures regarding classification of offenders and housing practices as part of its comprehensive response to the crisis.
About the facilities
High Desert State Prison, located near Indian Springs approximately 45 minutes north of Las Vegas, is Nevada’s largest correctional facility with a capacity of 4,176 inmates. It opened in 2000 and became the state’s maximum-security prison in 2024.
Southern Desert Correctional Center, which neighbors High Desert, operates as a medium-security facility. Both prisons have struggled with staffing retention due to their remote location.
The recent deaths mark a troubling escalation in violence at Nevada’s prisons, prompting what officials describe as an urgent, all-hands effort to restore safety and security within the facilities.
Image Sources: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/nevada-prison-leaders-point-drug-232445468.html
Category: State News
Subcategory: Crime & Safety
Date: 08/13/2025
