Threat suspect accused of prison assault

A Springfield man who faces federal charges of threatening to harm President Obama, Gov. Peter Shumlin and others is now accused of assaulting a fellow inmate, causing life-threatening injuries. http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20120426/NEWS02/704269915

Published April 26, 2012 in the Rutland Herald Threat suspect accused of prison assault By Christian Avard Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD — A Springfield man who faces federal charges of threatening to harm President Obama, Gov. Peter Shumlin and others is now accused of assaulting a fellow inmate, causing life-threatening injuries. Dakota Gardner, 21, of Springfield, is the suspect in the assault of Ryan John, 19, of Springfield, according to Corrections Commissioner Andrew Pallito. Corrections officers discovered the assault inside Gardner’s cell at the Springfield prison during a routine check Monday, Pallito said. John suffered major injuries and was taken to Springfield Hospital. He was airlifted to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and is in intensive care. Pallito could not specify the nature of John’s injuries but said he is in critical condition and is recovering steadily. “They were living in the same unit and in the same tier, and they were recreating at the same time,” Pallito said. “John went into Dakota Gardner’s cell and John shut the door behind him. We’re not sure what happened inside the cell because we can’t get information from the victim. He’s not in a state where he can talk.” State police are investigating but have not released any details. Detective John Hagen of the Vermont State Police did not say how long John is expected to be at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Pallito said police spoke with Gardner hours after the incident, but neither Pallito or Hagen would comment on what Gardner said. “I expect there will be criminal charges against Gardner,” Pallito said. “I don’t know what else may have happened because at this point we don’t have all the information on what transpired inside the cell. Something went down because John’s injuries were significant.” John was in the Springfield prison on a lewd and lascivious charge out of Orleans County. Gardner is in prison on a probation violation stemming from a 2009 aggravated assault in Brattleboro. According to U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan, Gardner was scheduled to be released April 30, but a federal grand jury charged him with sending letters threatening to kill President Obama, kidnap and harm Gov. Peter Shumlin and bomb the Asa Bloomer State Office Building in Rutland. “We were planning on arresting him on the last day of his sentence. The governor has filed a motion for detention ... and we’ll see if the judge grants it,” Nolan said. It is unknown whether Gardner will be charged in the prison assault before he faces federal charges, according to Nolan, Pallito and Hagen. Windsor County State’s Attorney Robert Sand has been notified about the investigation. Sand said no case has been provided yet and he anticipates Garnder will be in federal custody before any state charages are filed. Gardner is to be arraigned at U.S. District Court in Burlington on April 30.