LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Tuesday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel charged eight former and current employees of Alger Correctional Facility with felony counts related to the 2019 in-custody death of former inmate Jonathan Lancaster. Facing charges are four registered nurses who attended to Lancaster in his final days, two corrections officers present at his time of death, and both the former Acting Warden Scott Sprader and Assistant Deputy Warden Benny Mercier.
The State alleges that Lancaster ceased eating and drinking while incarcerated at Alger Correctional Facility and was placed in an observation cell and in restraints. He remained in the observation cell and restrained until he died three days later. Despite weight loss in excess of fifty pounds in fifteen days, widespread knowledge of his deteriorating state, and Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) policies, Lancaster received no emergency medical attention until after his death.
“This death was a preventable tragedy that played out over days and under the defendants’ supervision,” said Nessel. “These are serious, and numerous, charges that reflect the broad culpability the defendants shoulder in the death of Jonathan Lancaster. The eight defendants had a responsibility for the care and well-being of those in their custody, and my office will continue to rigorously pursue accountability when that is not met.”
The charges issued today are as follows-
- Former Acting Warden Scott Sprader
- One Count – Involuntary Manslaughter, a 15-year felony
- Former Assistant Deputy Warden Benny Mercier
- One Count – Involuntary Manslaughter, a 15-year felony
- Registered Nurse, formerly MDOC, Paul Zelenak
- One Count – Involuntary Manslaughter, a 15-year felony
- Registered Nurse, formerly MDOC, Nathan Moser
- One Count – Involuntary Manslaughter, a 15-year felony
- Registered Nurse, formerly MDOC, Barabra Bedient
- One Count – Involuntary Manslaughter, a 15-year felony
- Registered Nurse, formerly MDOC, John Crane
- One Count – Involuntary Manslaughter, a 15-year felony
- Former MDOC Sargent Jason Denman
- One Count – Misconduct in Office, a 5-year felony
- MDOC Officer Shawn Brinkman
- One Count – Misconduct in Office, a 5-year felony
The investigation of this case was conducted by Michigan State Police.
The Michigan Department of Corrections issued the following statement in response to the charges that were brought forth by the Attorney General’s office:
Earlier this week, the Office of the Attorney General announced criminal charges against seven former MDOC employees and one current employee in relation to the death of Mr. Jonathan Lancaster, a prisoner at the Alger Correctional Facility in March of 2019.
The MDOC immediately launched an internal investigation into the events leading up to and surrounding his death. That investigation resulted in 6 individuals being discharged from state employment and several others being disciplined. In addition to the MDOC conducting its own investigation, the Department also referred the matter to Michigan State Police for their review and cooperated with the subsequent criminal investigation.
The Michigan Department of Corrections will continue to fully cooperate with this process until its conclusion.
