Illegal Immigrants Charged in Jail Fire

Eleven illegal immigrants with criminal records have been indicted for the fire and riot at the Miramar Naval Air Station brig that did more than $500,000 in damage and cost more than $1.5 million in medical care for those injured, federal officials announced Thursday.

“This type of conduct will not be tolerated,” said FBI agent Robert Walsh.

The 10 Mexicans and one Costa Rican were indicted on allegations of conspiracy and damaging government property, charges that could lead to 15-year prison sentences. The 11 had been awaiting trial on charges of attempting to reenter the United States after being deported due to criminal convictions, mostly for drugs.

The March 29 fire was provoked by the prisoners’ anger about commissary privileges, poor telephone service and bad television reception, according to the indictment.

The fire erupted 16 days after the brig began housing illegal immigrant prisoners under an agreement between the U.S. Marshal’s Service and the private U.S. Corrections Corp. The prisoners were being detained awaiting trial.

The brig has been repaired but the Marshal’s Service and Navy have not decided whether to resume using it for illegal immigrants. Several Republican congressmen--notably Rep. Randall Cunningham of San Diego--oppose using the brig for illegal immigrants.

Cunningham this week convinced an appropriations subcommittee to add language to a report accompanying a funding bill calling for Atty. Gen. Janet Reno to find jail space somewhere other than Miramar. The bill must still be approved by the full committee.

“I am determined to prevent another disaster like the illegal aliens’ riot,” Cunningham said.

Of 141 illegal immigrants, 24 were hospitalized for smoke inhalation. Four remained hospitalized for more than 30 days and one had his vocal cords destroyed.

The prisoners allegedly blocked jailers from putting out the blazes as the brig filled with smoke and threw a blanket over a surveillance camera.

An attorney last month said he will file a $10-million lawsuit on behalf of 10 inmates trapped during the fire. Three of the 10 were indicted. Attorney Frank De Santis said Thursday he will drop those three from the lawsuit.