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Decorated army ranger sues over jail attack

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Roland Vaughan

LOS ANGELES – A decorated former Army Ranger from Lancaster is suing Los Angeles County, alleging deputies failed to protect him when he was attacked by other inmates in 2017 at the Men’s Central Jail, where he was taken after being arrested for an alcohol-related traffic accident.

Roland Vaughan‘s Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit alleges civil rights violations and negligence. The suit filed Tuesday seeks unspecified damages.

A representative for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Vaughan was an Army Ranger in 2005-10, fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan and was nearly killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near him, the suit states. He military awards include the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge, according to the complaint.

Vaughan, now 38, was arrested in 2017 after an alcohol-related traffic accident with a motorcyclist in Lancaster, the suit states. He was housed in a unit of the Men’s Central Jail known as the “Veteran’s Dorm,” the suit states.

Three weeks after his arrest, Vaughan and a small group of other inmates from his unit were on the jail roof exercising, the suit states. Unknown to Vaughan, a riot had broken out in the unit housing gay inmates and others with classifications requiring they be separated from the general population, according to the suit.

Deputies pepper-sprayed about 100 fighting inmates and sent them to the roof, where they were put in an area separated from Vaughan and his 10 to 15 colleagues by a partition, the suit states.

Shortly after the deputies left, the inmates brought by deputies to the roof broke through the partition and attacked Vaughan and his fellow inmates, the suit states.

No deputies went to the aid of the inmates being attacked and in the following days some deputies laughed as they watched recorded video of the confrontation, the suit states.

Vaughan suffered an abrasion to his right arm that later became infected, the suit states. Despite his urgent pleas, he was not fully examined by a doctor until nearly two weeks later when he was diagnosed with a bacterial infection of the tissue under the skin and told he had a 50 percent chance of survival, the suit states.

Doctors removed all of the skin to the muscle on Vaughan’s right arm and grafted skin from one of his thighs onto the wound, according to the suit.

“To this day, plaintiff suffers from permanent disfigurement of his right arm, neuropathy, pain and lack of mobility and the ability to use his right hand…,” the suit states.

Editor’s note: Roland Vaughan pleaded no contest on May 5, 2018 to one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in connection with the traffic crash on Feb. 5, 2018 that killed 28-year-old Kenneth Elsey of Lancaster, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Following his no contest plea, Vaughan was immediately sentenced to six years in state prison.

Previous related story: Motorcyclist killed in suspected DUI crash, driver arrested

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41 comments for "Decorated army ranger sues over jail attack"

  3. Interesting! So what I’m reading and you haven’t admitted to yourself as possibly this is partial or in all your fault. You chose to drink, you chose to drive and you ended up in jail. So this seems to be your fault that you may have been assaulted. Before you sue think that if you had chose not to drink and drive then you would have been at home reading this about someone else. If you are a decorated Army Ranger, Man-Up! You are a victim of your own circumstance.

    • How is the county failing to operate the jail in accordance with the law his fault? Sounds more like it is your fault, since you don’t want the county held accountable for their failures.

      • I’m flattered that you want to be me, even if just on this comments section. But, seriously, you can build your own credibility. Be yourself, be your own person, even if you don’t know how to proofread.

          • It isn’t my real name, but it is the name I consistently use here so people know that my comments are mine. How about you “really”? Do you have any consistency, or are you one of those “adapt a different persona every day” sorts?

            By the way, lots of people know the real name that connects to the real Tim Scott screen name here.

    • I am a retired U.S. Army NCO and wanted to briefly comment on his awards. Other than the Purple Heart, the rest of the decorations he received are also awarded to others who have served in the Middle East GWOT operations. I don’t know anyone in their right mind that has been an Army Ranger, use that as an excuse to commit crimes. Especially flying the “Ranger” flag after taking someone elses life for drinking and driving. That doesn’t impress me at all!

    • Iam so very sorry that
      Your son lost his life due
      to an irresponsible adult that chose to drink and drive & killed an innocent man with family and friends.
      this irresponsible adult needs to be brought up on murder charges…..

  5. It was my son he hit, ran over leaving him dead in the street, He deserves to live a life off pain as the rest of us now do. Nothing like the profit of murder right Rolland??…

    • An absolute travesty the author of this article plays up his military record, and only refers to this criminal being arrested for “an alcohol-related traffic accident.” In fact, he is serving time for the DUI-caused KILLING of an innocent motorcyclist after knowingly drinking, then deliberately putting himself behind the wheel of a vehicle he couldn’t control. So sorry for KENNETH ELSEY and his family…the real victims in everything caused by this man’s horrible decision and actions.

    • No. Wrong. I disagree. Everyone deserves peace and quiet. This fellow deserved being left to reflect upon himself, to pay his debt to society, quietly doing his time in peace. LASD prison guards we’re paying top dollar, aren’t cutting it. Clearly evident, they are not doing their job.

      • Actually he doesnt if me and my family cant have peace neither will hiim , He deserves to be bent over every night by big bubba and ms13 members.

  6. Awwww how cruel a criminal army ranger suing the county just because he a coward to fight , Nobody owes you nothing pussieee

    • I think there have been fifteen people making stupid comments about “self defense.” I’d love to round them up and see how they hold out against a hundred rioters, since they think it should be so easy. Step up Nicole, you can handle seven to one odds, right? tell us how it’s done.

    • … no, I disagree. Scratch the surface to any problem, government failure is always a stone’s throw away. Granted, the guy did what he did. Held accountable, he’s doing hard time. His transgression notwithstanding, all inmates have a fundamental right to reflect upon themselves, quietly do their time in peace, free from complacent, overpaid weirdos, sickos and headcases posing themselves as prison guards intent to look the other way, allowing our penal reform system to evolve into gladiator academies.

  7. TH REAL REASON THIS POS GOT BAATVUP IS THAT HE WOULD BRAG ABOUT BUILD THE WALL AND SUPPORTING TRUMP AND SOMEBODY IN THE DORM RECOGNIZED HIM AND LET EVERBODY KNOW WHO HE WAS A RACIST POS.! HOW IS HE A DECORATED ARMY RANGER WHEN HE CANT EVEN DEFWND HIMSELF LIKE A COWARD THAT HE IS.

  8. F*”:k this dude…really. he’s obviously stupid grunt..and a puss.i hope he gets nothing but bills from doctors And lawyers….and does a whole lot of repenting and forgiveness praying

  9. I have absolutely no sympathy for Roland. He has a deformed arm, and deals with pain? Aww, poor thing. At least you still have your life!! What is truly disappointing is that the article fails to mention that this “traffic collision” killed an innocent man. Roland killed a son, a brother, a father, a cousin, an uncle, and so much more. His family will never see him again. His CHILD will NEVER see him again!! Now you want to sit back and sue cause you got an infection? Such an “honorable man” you are. I hope nothing comes of this! You don’t deserve it.

    • What you say is true, but I am in favor of anything that sheds light about what goes on in the jail. The deputies have an attitude of “If you are here, you are a worthless criminal and will be treated like garbage” and they don’t care if many inmates have not been convicted of anything or could be innocent of the crime they are charged with. All it takes is for police to respond to something they didn’t witness and make a bad call or have someone lie to them about your involvement, and next thing you know you are stuck in jail with a bail too high for you to afford.

      • I guess that’s what happens when you kill someone. ‍♀️ If he didn’t decide to drink and drive, he wouldn’t be in there in the first place. Roland is not innocent. And again, I have no sympathy.

      • I guess that’s what happens when you kill someone. Roland should of thought about that before he decided to drink and drive. He deserves to suffer the consequences of his own actions. The dude is not innocent, and honestly, his sentence isn’t nearly long enough. The laws for drinking and driving are way too lenient, and I hope one day those laws change. Again, I have no sympathy and I hope Roland loses this lawsuit.

  10. WHAT A WEAK PATHETHIC PUSSSSY SUING THE SYSTEM BECAUSE YOR COWARD ASSS CANT FIGHT.! NOBODY OWES YOU NOTHING.!

  11. The migrant caravan has the hallmarks of an attack or foray. It’s because America is the target and not another capable country. The organizer is an ex-politician whose a Communist. The migrants chant the Honduran national anthem while carrying the Honduran flag. They have shown a violent behavior. They have been told that America will only accept people that use a legal avenue and they continue with the intention of violating American sovereignty. If they enter America they won’t be able to legally work in a high unemployment environment. Their only option is violent crime, begging, and homelessness to make money.

    • You need to stop drinking the infowars seeemen bro or get off that meth pipe weak minded dude.!

  12. I want to put money on the books of the guy that beat Ronald, hes a sorry excuse of a soldier, i have plenty of family in the branches, my fiance included. But we dont just have 1 stupid piece of scum we have 2, hoe come his lady wasnt chardged for anything THEY BOTH WERE IN THE car he was so intoxicated he couldnt walk. Skrew this guy roland vaughn needs to pay for what he has done. A family still grieves while his sorry ass probably looked at some one sideways or opened his pathetic mouth.
    Its called if you do t have anything nice to say dont say anything at all.
    Rip kenny we love and miss you till this day.

    Roland vaughn needs to spend time behind bars. Because hes a soldier doesnt mean anything.

  13. … for all intents and purposes, gross negligence and LASD are synonymous. Once upon a time, prison farms in the deep south were America’s worst. For the last 4 decades, and by a significant margin, LASD’s are the worst, most sadistic correction officers in North America. If, God forbid, you ever wind up in jail in Los Angeles County, you’re lucky if somehow you come out alive –

  14. I have absolutely no sympathy for Roland. Your arm is deformed and you’re in some pain? Aw, poor thing. At least you’re still alive. You killed someone because of your own stupidity. If you would’nt of gotten behind the wheel of your vehicle after drinking, you wouldn’t be in there in the first place. I hope this lawsuit goes nowhere. Roland doesn’t deserve it.

  16. It seems to me that the police hate dui’s more than rapists or serial killers. Or maybe it’s just more convenient with more revenue involved. I wouldn’t be suprised if they purposely set him up to get jumped by a bunch of peter puffers and purposely withheld medical treatment like if they’re trying to teach the guy a lesson or something.

  17. He was a tuff Ranger that killed a man because he chose to get drunk and drive and now because he a scratch that got infected he’s a big cry baby?
    What I want to know is WHO WAS responsible to protect the man he killed by drunk driving? If he makes Any money off of this law suit that the family of the deceased biker sues him for all of it and more!
    This biker will no longer be able to use ANY of his body parts as opposed to this guy with a numb arm and some skin from his ass! ‍♀️‍♀️

  18. He should have used his combat training to throw all those days off the roof to a fitting end — self defense.

    The county is responsible for not putting individuals in single cells to protect the lives of both inmate’s and deputies. The deputies do the best with what they are given. The jail doctor needs to lose his license for incompetence.

  19. An Army Ranger can’t protect himself in a jail fight with gay males. Damn I’m glad I went to the Marines. Then again many times in Afghanistan I was protecting Army units trapped in firefights.

    • Sure man. Seven against one I’m sure you’re just hell on wheels. Always knew the marines didn’t bother teaching idiots to be realistic. I just wonder why they let idiots enlist.

  20. I feel bad for Roland but he still has his life. Kenny Elsey does not. Kenny is the biker he killed. RIP

  21. “No deputies went to the aid of the inmates being attacked and in the following days some deputies laughed as they watched recorded video of the confrontation, the suit states.”

    Another classic episode of cowardice and incompetence displayed at the Twin Towers.

  22. “Vaughan, now 38, was arrested on Sept. 5, 2017, after an alcohol-related traffic accident with a motorcyclist in Lancaster…”

    Roland didn’t make it easy for himself by drinking and driving in the first place.

  23. I work in law enforcement and happen to know first hand that LASD is corrupt beyond repair. It must be purged from the lowest levels all the way up the chain.

    LA County Fire Dept is no better. It is run by narcissistic Alpha Males with barely a HS education. They don’t know their own policies and they waste the taxpayers money through uncontrolled spending and misappropriation of resources.

    The LA County’s Board of supervisors knows their agencies are corrupt, yet they do nothing to stop it. Why? Because they are all in bed together.

    • LASD is corrupt beyond repair, but it must be purged from the top to the lowest levels. It starts at the top and works its way down.

    • You sure did hit the nail on the head with the LAFD comment. When it comes to LASD I’m down right afraid to be around anyone in that gang.