6 Inmates Charged In Middleton Jail Melee That Injured 2 Officers

MIDDLETON, MA — Assault charges have been filed against six inmates involved in a violent Middleton Jail melee that included at least three weapons and sent two officers and two inmates to the hospital last week.

Essex County Sherrif John Coppinger said on Wednesday that the six men charged were all suspected gang members awaiting trial on various charges, including murder and attempted murder.

Coppinger said three shanks — self-fabricated sharp objects used as weapons — were found in the immediate aftermath of the Oct. 22 fight and eight more were found during searches of the Middleton facility, which remained closed to visitors through Tuesday.

"This incident was one of the most serious that has occurred in my six years as sheriff," Coppinger said in a statement late Wednesday afternoon. "Six inmates, some armed with shanks, attacked a fellow inmate and a violent altercation ensued. The correctional officers and K9s that responded put their own safety at risk to prevent other staff and inmates from being injured.

"I commend them for their bravery and professionalism."

The union representing the correctional officers had criticized Coppinger for downplaying the seriousness of the situation to the media and said in a letter to Patch that it was "by no means an isolated incident" in a facility that it said: "has been a pressure cooker for the last several years and the atmosphere is rapidly deteriorating."

Coppinger said two inmates and two officers sustained minor injuries and were taken to area hospitals for treatment before being released.

The Essex County Sheriff's Office said Adrian Corniel De La Cruz, 18, of Lawrence was charged with two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon; Jorge Delgado-Medina, 26, of Melrose, was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery and assault with a dangerous weapon; Julio Cruz, 24, of Lawrence, was charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault with a dangerous weapon;

Johan Aquino, 22, of Lawrence was charged with assault and battery; Luis Perlera, 19, of Lunenberg, was charged with assault and battery; and Lennox Pierre-Louis, 21, of Roxbury, was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

The Essex County Corrections Officers Association this week called on the Coppinger's Office to address staff shortages that it said have led to forced overtime and lack of days off among officers.

"Between an emboldened inmate population and officer fatigue and burnout, morale is at an all-time low," the union said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)