Jail fight leads to additional charges for two inmates

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

Clarence Dion Banks, 33, and Eric Travon White, 31, have both been charged with battery by a person detained in a jail facility after they allegedly injured another inmate.

At about 4:00 p.m. yesterday, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy made contact with the victim, who appeared to have a broken jaw but was able to talk “to an extent.” He reportedly said that Banks and White had beaten him over commissary debt. He said that Banks had come into the room first and started punching him in the face, then put him in a choke hold from behind, then White entered and also began to punch him.

The deputy reported that surveillance video did not clearly show the incident, but it did show “numerous” inmates around the room’s door, holding it closed to prevent discovery of the fight. A correctional officer said he saw White exit the room just before the fight was discovered, and Banks was reportedly still in the room when officers entered.

Post Miranda, Banks reportedly said he, White, and the victim had a brief scuffle in which the victim was pushed to the ground; he later said the incident was only verbal. He reportedly denied knowing how the victim became injured.

Post Miranda, White reportedly said the victim would not cash out a poker game, and he argued with the victim about this because Banks was “up” and owed White some commissary money. He reportedly said that Banks and the victim were arguing verbally and that the victim was uninjured when he first entered and left the room. He said that when he entered the room a second time, the victim’s mouth was bleeding and that he grabbed the victim’s leg in an attempt to separate him from Banks.

Banks was arrested March 9 and is currently facing charges of burglary with assault or battery and sexual battery of a victim over 18 years old, with bail of $500,000. An additional $50,000 bail has been added on the new battery charge.

White was arrested February 24 and is facing drug trafficking and hit and run charges in that case, along with charges in three other cases; he was already being held without bail in one case, with $515,000 bail in the other cases. $50,000 bail was added in this case.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.