FOLSOM, Calif. — The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is reportedly investigating an inmate’s alleged attack on two officers at California State Prison, Sacramento (CSP-SAC) as attempted homicide, law enforcement said Tuesday.
Ronald Yandell, 62, allegedly drew an improvised weapon against two corrections officers while being escorted back to his cell around 8:20 a.m. Friday after a scheduled appointment at the prison’s central health building, according to a CDCR news release.
One of the officers allegedly discharged pepper spray thrice, then Yandell dropped the improvised weapon, the CDCR said. He was placed in restraints and removed without further incident, law enforcement said.
An improvised weapon was reportedly found at the scene.
Medical staff determined Yandell did not sustain injuries, and no prison staff members were hurt, according to the CDCR. The case will be referred to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office for possible felony prosecution.
Yandell came to CSP-SAC from Contra Costa County on March 18, 2004, after he was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, according to law enforcement.
Yandell was also one of three Aryan Brotherhood prison gang members convicted in spring 2024 of racketeering activity that included murder and drug trafficking, ABC10 previously reported.
CSP-SAC reportedly houses over 2,200 medium, maximum and high-security inmates. It employs approximately 1,500 people.
