Four men indicted in connection to attack on Sussex VADOC officer, K-9 repeatedly stabbed to death

SUSSEX COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Four men were indicted by a Sussex County grand jury in connection to an April attack on a Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) officer and her K-9 Rivan that left the nearly 6-year-old dog dead.

According to a June 28 press release from the Virginia Office of the Attorney General, four men believed to be affiliated with the national Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13) gang were hit with multiple charges each in relation to an April 2 attack at the Sussex I State Prison that resulted in the death of VADOC officer Kharmishia Phillip-Fields’ assigned K-9, Rivan.

According to the VADOC, three of these men — who were incarcerated at the prison at the time — attacked another inmate on Tuesday, April 2, while the fourth supervised. When Phillip-Fields attempted to stop the violence with Rivan’s assistance, the men reportedly assaulted them.

Phillip-Fields was injured but survived. Rivan, however, was “repeatedly stabbed and kicked by the inmates” and later died, according to VADOC’s initial release on the incident.

VADOC later honored Rivan’s sacrifice with a memorial service , saying he died protecting his handler and was a true hero.

“All loss of life is tragic,” said Sussex County Commonwealth’s Attorney Regina Sykes. “The loss of those who are the most vulnerable and defenseless even more so. The Sussex County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office values the ultimate sacrifice K-9 Rivan made and rest in knowing that his death will not be in vain.”

The men accused of these crimes and the charges they face are as follows:

• Ronald Sanchez-Ramirez: Killing or injuring a police animal, malicious wounding by mob, conspiracy to commit malicious wounding by mob, gang participation, assault & battery of a law enforcement officer, stabbing in the commission of a felony and being a prisoner in possession of a deadly weapon.
• Nelson Torres Alvarez: Killing or injuring a police animal, conspiracy to commit malicious wounding by mob, gang participation, assault & battery of a law enforcement officer and being a prisoner in possession of a deadly weapon.
• Axel Wilfredo Ortiz Garcia: Malicious wounding by mob, conspiracy to commit malicious wounding by mob, gang participation, being a prisoner in possession of a deadly weapon and stabbing in the commission of a felony.
• Jose Antonio Sagastume: Malicious wounding by mob, gang participation and conspiracy to commit malicious wounding by mob.

VADOC Director Chad Dotson released a statement in response to these indictments.

“From the moment this heinous attack was committed, the Virginia Department of Corrections has pursued prosecution of these inmates to the fullest extent of the law. Officer Phillip-Fields and Rivan deserve no less. Their heroic actions potentially saved the lives of several corrections team members and members of the inmate population at Sussex I State Prison.

“I thank Governor Glenn Youngkin and Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Terrance Cole for their full and unwavering support of our employees following the vicious attack. I also thank Attorney General Jason Miyares and Sussex County Commonwealth’s Attorney Regina Sykes for supporting the VADOC in securing justice in this matter on behalf of the Department, Officer Phillip Fields, Rivan, and all of our corrections team members and K-9s who work every day to ensure long-term public safety in Virginia.”

VADOC Director Chad Dotson

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